PETA India
## Job Description: Principal Legal Counsel
**About PETA India**
PETA India is a leading animal rights organization dedicated to protecting animals from cruelty and exploitation. We work on a wide range of issues, including animal testing, factory farming, the fur trade, and animal entertainment. We are a non-profit organization committed to creating a more compassionate world for all living beings.
**Job Location:** Delhi, India
**Experience Required:**
* Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a university recognised by the Bar Council of India.
* At least five years of work experience as a practising lawyer/in-house counsel, with preference to litigation experience.
* Litigation experience in High Courts (writ jurisdiction) and sound knowledge of constitutional and criminal law a plus.
* Knowledge and experience of in-house work such as drafting of agreements with external parties, employment contracts a plus.
* Knowledge of applicable regulatory regimes such as the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, other RBI guidelines and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 a plus.
* Good standing to practise law.
**Responsibilities:**
* Formulate legal strategies and manage PETA India litigation at various forums, including engaging, briefing and assisting external counsel, drafting pleadings and attending hearings.
* Ensure that PETA India staff members are operating with sound knowledge of the law and using the strongest legal arguments to advance and meet our objectives.
* Draft internal legal documents, issue legal notices or complaints to authorities on behalf of PETA India in relation to different aspects of animal cruelty.
* Gather references for reliable external counsels to handle various PETA India cases and manage relations, including terms of engagement, with them, as assigned.
* Meet with external counsels regularly, sensitising them to PETA India’s positions and desired outcomes, and consult with counsels on court strategy.
* Ensure factual updates and adequate assistance to external counsels through routine briefing meetings, briefing or argument notes, list of dates, research notes or other material as requested by the counsel.
* Draft legal documents such as police complaints, complaint letters to authorities, legal notices, court pleadings and agreements based on thorough research and sound legal knowledge and arguments.
* Attending hearings before various forums, including the Supreme Court, High Courts and trial courts and assist the arguing counsel in the course of the hearing.
* Draft and review in-house legal documents and processes, such as agreements, SOPs, etc. and manage any litigation arising from the same.
* Conduct thorough legal research for ongoing and proposed litigation, recommend sound strategies and take active part in internal and external strategy discussions.
* Remain up-to-date with relevant legal developments, such as laws, amendments, rules, notifications, case-laws. Research, interpret, and apply pertinent central government and state statutes, regulations, case law, government circulars, notifications and other relevant legal material to ongoing campaigns and litigation.
* Exercise due diligence and be impeccably organised, including by maintaining neat and clear records of correspondence, court-related documents and other documentation.
* Ensure that the organisation’s work conforms with legal requirements, review internal SOPs and other policies, as assigned.
* Carefully review letters, complaints and other documents from other departments to ensure PETA India staff members are operating with sound knowledge of the law and using the strongest legal arguments to advance and meet our objectives.
* Provide campaigners, researchers, investigators, and caseworkers with other legal support, including by taking part in strategy-setting brainstorms where required.
* Monitor issues and cases for potential legal action.
* Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
**Preferred Qualifications:**
* Preferred experience in animal rights law, constitutional law or related fields.
* Awareness of animal rights issues and PETA India campaigns.
* Proven excellent legal research and drafting skills.
* Proven excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills.
* Proven ability to handle multiple tasks within strict time constraints.
* Willingness to travel extensively for PETA India litigation.
**Languages:**
* Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
* Proficiency in Hindi.
* Knowledge of regional languages (apart from Hindi) a plus.
**Other:**
* Professional appearance and adherence to a healthy vegan lifestyle.
* Support for PETA India’s philosophy and the ability to advocate for our positions on issues in a professional manner.
* Commitment to the objectives of the organisation.
To apply for this job please visit www.petaindia.com.
