PETA India
**Job Title:** Principal Legal Counsel
**Company:** PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a charitable company dedicated to promoting animal rights and welfare through advocacy, investigations, education, and litigation. PETA India works to expose animal cruelty and promote compassionate alternatives.
**Location:** Delhi, India
**Experience Required:**
* Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a university recognized by the Bar Council of India.
* At least five years of work experience as a practicing lawyer/in-house counsel, with a preference for litigation experience.
* Litigation experience in High Courts (writ jurisdiction) and sound knowledge of constitutional and criminal law are a plus.
* Experience with in-house work such as drafting agreements with external parties and employment contracts is 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 is a plus.
**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 PETA India staff members operate with sound legal knowledge and utilize strong legal arguments to achieve organizational objectives.
* Draft internal legal documents and issue legal notices or complaints to authorities on behalf of PETA India regarding animal cruelty.
* Gather references for and manage relationships with external counsel, including terms of engagement.
* Meet regularly with external counsel, briefing them on PETA India’s positions and desired outcomes, and consult on court strategy.
* Provide factual updates and assistance to external counsel through briefing meetings, notes, and other materials.
* Draft legal documents such as police complaints, complaint letters, legal notices, court pleadings, and agreements.
* Attend hearings before various forums (Supreme Court, High Courts, trial courts) and assist arguing counsel.
* Draft and review in-house legal documents and processes (agreements, SOPs, etc.) and manage any resulting litigation.
* Conduct thorough legal research for ongoing and proposed litigation, recommend strategies, and participate in internal/external strategy discussions.
* Remain updated on relevant legal developments (laws, amendments, rules, case laws). Research, interpret, and apply central government and state statutes, regulations, case law, and other legal materials to ongoing campaigns and litigation.
* Maintain organized records of correspondence and court documents.
* Ensure organizational work conforms to legal requirements and review internal SOPs and policies.
* Review letters and documents from other departments to ensure legal compliance and strong argumentation.
* Provide legal support to campaigners, researchers, investigators, and caseworkers.
* Monitor issues and cases for potential legal action.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
**Qualifications:**
* Excellent legal research and drafting skills.
* Excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills.
* Ability to handle multiple tasks within strict time constraints.
* Willingness to travel extensively for PETA India litigation.
* Fluency in English (spoken and written).
* Proficiency in Hindi.
* Knowledge of regional languages (a plus).
* Professional appearance and adherence to a healthy vegan lifestyle.
* Support for PETA India’s philosophy and ability to advocate for its positions professionally.
* Commitment to the organization’s objectives. Preferred experience in animal rights law, constitutional law, or related fields. Awareness of animal rights issues and PETA India campaigns.
To apply for this job please visit www.petaindia.com.
