Sourav Kundu Email & Phone Number

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As General Counsel at a trade finance crypto startup, my daily responsibilities revolve around ensuring legal compliance, managing legal risks, providing strategic legal advice. I stay up-to-date on evolving laws, regulations in trade finance and cryptocurrency, ensuring the company complies with international trade laws, regulations, and crypto-specific legal requirements.I draft, review, and negotiate contracts with various stakeholders, ensuring they align with business goals while minimizing risk. I also advise the board on corporate governance matters, including M&A, intellectual property, and securities law.Legal risk management is a key focus, where I identify potential legal issues in both trade finance and cryptocurrency operations. I also handle dispute resolution, whether through mediation, litigation, arbitration, or negotiation.Collaboration is crucial in my role. I work closely with departments like compliance, finance, and product development to guide new initiatives and ensure legal considerations are addressed. I also play a strategic advisory role, helping the company navigate the complex legal landscape of blockchain technology and international trade.When crises arise, I manage legal part of the investigations and protect the company’s legal position, ensuring we stay on the right path.General Legal Expertise*Legal Counsel*General Counsel*Legal Advisor*Corporate Legal Strategy*Legal & Regulatory Compliance*Legal Risk Management*Contract Negotiation*Legal Drafting*Litigation Oversight Head of Internal Audit: Governance: Established robust structures governance frameworks across Group, aligning with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, industry standards. Promoted transparency, accountability, ethical decision-making through well-defined policies practices. Policy Procedure Development: Designed implemented across key functions initiatives enhanced operational efficiency, mitigated risks, improved overall organisational performance.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Drafted and reviewed documents, syndicated, bilateral loan agreements, trade finance facilities, security and intercreditor agreements, loans against deposits, confidentiality agreements, vendor agreements, bank guarantees, security trustee agreements, project finance facilities, lease deeds, lease agreements, master risk participation agreements.Ensured documents were accurate, compliant with regulations, tailored to bank's needs. Drafted MOUs to build business relationships with government and private entities.Drafted contracts for external vendors and ensured that product marketing met legal requirements.Drafted, reviewed, negotiated transaction banking agreements, structured trade finance agreements, e-channels, cash management agreements, digital services agreements.Played keyrole in implementing various banking projects, drafting T&Cs and customer interface documents for digital banking services. This work was crucial for bank's digital transformation.Provided legal support for development of new banking products and conducted reviews for different departments, ensuring timely and quality advice.Managed ISDA schedules,derivative product negotiations with banks, corporates, financial institutions.Implemented impacts across bank’s operations and acted as business connector.Supervised litigation involving bank, coordinating with external counsel on cases related to fraud, loan disputes, credit card claims. Also managed bank’s claims process and negotiated settlement agreements.Advised on regulatory standards in wealth management, monitored marketing compliance, managed customer categorization, and handled risk profiling.Responded to audits and central bank regulatory observations, supervising, mentoring interns.Developed legal frameworks for fintech, led cross-functional projects, ensured legal requirements were accessible to stakeholders. Tracked legal changes and shared updates with relevant teams, fostering collaboration and talent development.

Mumbai Area, India

Drafted and reviewed various legal documents for loans, trade finance facility, security, intercreditor, loan against deposit contracts, confidentiality agreements, vendor agreements, bank guarantee, security trustee agreement, information memorandum for private placements, lease deeds, leave & license agreements and consortium loan documents et al.Prepared ISDA schedules as per sanctions and the bank’s policy and negotiations with various counter parties like banks, corporate, financial institutions. Opined on trade finance related documents like standby letters of credit, letters of credit and implemented various legal impacts inthe bank’s operations being one point contact for the entire wholesale banking and financial market services of the bank. Handled various litigationof the bank whilst liaising with external counsels on wholesale banking related issues including derivatives transactional disputes.Had a designated legal role in due diligence and execution of documents during the merger between ING Vysya Bank (ceased to exist as on date) and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Key Competencies -*Strategic Legal Advice*Dispute Resolution*Legal Risk Assessment*Policy Development*Internal Audit Leadership*Business Partnering*Stakeholder Management*Entity Closures

I drafted and standardized various legal documents, including loan agreements, trade finance facility agreements, security agreements, intercreditor agreements, loan contracts against deposits, confidentiality agreements, vendor agreements, service level agreements, bank guarantee documents, offering circulars for bond issuances. I handled treasury matters such as derivatives, foreign exchange, equity, commodities, options, managing the legal division's responsibilities for transactions across India, international banking groups. I reviewed and negotiated agreements like ISDA schedules, liaised with external counsel across jurisdictions, provided guidance on bank policy matters. Additionally, I assisted in the standardization of documentation and offered legal advice on the issuance and distribution of structured products linked to assets like commodities, credit, interest rates, forex.I prepared and reviewed legal documents related to corporate and retail loans, financial guarantees, performance guarantees, bid bonds, branch and online banking documents, customer account issues. I also participated in negotiating and completing contractual documentation for derivatives, commercial, corporate banking transactions. I handled various litigation matters for the bank, collaborating with external counsel on complex banking issues, including derivatives disputes. I reviewed facility documents for the bank's borrowings from other financial institutions, such as inter-bank loans and global master repurchase agreements.I managed legal aspects of corporate and retail banking in the UK, India, Belgium, Germany, assisted in setting up a branch in Europe. I advised on laws related to banking operations, marketing laws, trust laws. I also reviewed legal agreements, customer complaints, court cases, fraud prevention issues, employment matters to ensure smooth operations. Additionally, I led a team of legal managers and trainees, overseeing their work and line functions.

Professional Traits*Strategic Thinker*Collaborative Leader*Proactive Problem Solver*Business-Focused Legal Counsel

Llm, Master Of Laws

Bsl Llb, Law

Bsl Llb, Law

Master'S Degree, Law