Practice Area/Industry Focus

Corporate and Commercial Laws, Banking Laws, Employment and Labour Laws, and Real Estate Laws

Highlights of Professional Journey

Mr. S. N. Verma has a comprehensive experience of 40 years and specialises in human resources portfolio, corporate and commercial laws, banking laws, employment and labour laws, and real estate laws. He has been heading the corporate practice of the Firm for over 15 years. Prior to joining the Firm, he was head of Human Resources (HR) in two japanese leading banks, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and The Sakura Bank Limited. He has also handled similar portfolio at the middle management cadre in a public sector bank (Union Bank of India) and a private sector manufacturing unit during his early years.

At Union Bank of India, he handled service law litigations (employment laws) for over 14 years at different levels of judicial forums including Labour Court, High Court, and Supreme Court of India. He also acted as Disciplinary Authority, Inquiry Officer and Management Representative in disciplinary proceedings. At the Sakura Bank Ltd. and the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, he handled the entire HR portfolio including service law matters. He was also appointed as the compliance officer for Reserve Bank of India compliances. He was actively involved in handling global mergers of foreign banks operating in India, with particular reference to unification of terms and conditions of employment of the employees. He has also been successful in designing and implementing Voluntarily Retirement Scheme for employees.

At the Firm, Mr. Verma has assisted and advised various multi-national companies in incorporating their companies in India and in acquiring other Indian companies. One of his key transactions has been advising and assisting a German company in acquiring 100% stake in an Indian company. He also assisted them in integration of terms and conditions of employment of the employees of the two companies in a phased manner over two years. He has also assisted foreign government departments in setting up their liaison office in India. His clients have lauded him for his grasp of the complex regulatory environment, his eye for detail and his ability for establishing business operations in India with ease and efficiency. He also has an expertise of incorporating protective clauses in commercial contracts and safeguarding clients from business risks.

With respect to his employment law practice, Mr. Verma has been instrumental in reviewing and drafting employment-related agreements and policies; and advising several multinational corporations on various employment related issues such as provident fund, gratuity etc. One of his cherished transactions has been finalizing employment contracts and leave plans for the liaison office of a foreign client in two different states in India. This transaction involved studying the nuances and complexities of labour and employment laws of different Indian states and advising accordingly. He has also represented and defended corporate clients before the Labour Courts. He has been successful in procuring an order from the Labour Courts in favour of our corporate client, where the workman had alleged illegal dismissal from the services.

With respect to real estate practice, Mr. Verma has assisted several foreign companies in negotiating, drafting and finalising their Leave and License agreements for their office spaces and warehouses across cities in India. He has conducted in-depth legal due diligence of the immovable property for his clients and has helped them in mitigating the risks involved in real estate transactions. He also specialised in assisting clients is establishing Information Techonology (IT)/Information Technology Enabled-Services (ITES) units in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and procuring the requisite registrations under the IT/ITES Policy of the Government of Maharashtra.

Mr. Verma brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Firm. He has led from the front and is passionate about helping the clients as well as the associates to tap into their highest potential. He regularly holds brainstorming sessions in the Firm and advises the associates on the best practices to follow while engaging with clients. His commitment to excellence is unquestionable and he encourages everybody with his work ethics. He also assists with Human Resources at the Firm and ensures that the best employee policies are implemented at the Firm. He contributes to several newsletters and writes opinion pieces on the latest developments in law.

Education

• B.A. LL.B., ILS Law College Pune – 1977
• Masters Degree in Personnel Management, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune University – 1980
• Passed Certified Associates of the Indian Institute of Bankers (C.A.I.I.B.) Part 1 in 1990