Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to carry out activities required to protect the company's interests in lawsuits filed or defended by the company. Moreover, the incumbent will also look after the pre-litigation processes and advise on ways to avoid litigation in a court of law.

Job Responsibilities

• Study the amendments to various laws, rules, and regulations made by federal, provincial and other statutory bodies from time to time.
Evaluate the probable effect on SSGC operations or its relations with others and advise the concerned company personnel accordingly. Anticipate and proactively develop a strategy to address changes in regulatory requirements and public policy.
• Review the drafts of impending legislation, evaluate the probable effect on SSGC, and advise the management on the possible steps to be taken to protect the company’s interests.
• Work with SSGC departments to collect the necessary documents related to litigation matters, follow up on lawsuits, or finalization of other matters requiring input from the Legal department.
• Assist in the development of a considered legal view on referred issues/cases/queries primarily related to litigation matters based on existing laws, rules, regulations, and related research highlighting salient points of interest that may adversely or otherwise impact SSGC.
Provide details of the case along with the supporting documents to the external counsel and share the company’s legal perspective in order to proceed with the litigation.
• Identify potential law firms/counsel of repute and relevant specialization for litigation purposes.
Assess the importance of lawsuits and suggest the suitability of various legal counsel to be appointed for representing the company.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of “Vakalatnama” for the appointment of legal counsel.
• Assist in coordination with the legal counsel to initiate and follow up of lawsuits filed by the company or in suits where the company is a respondent.
Coordinate with the external counsel in developing and reviewing appropriate draft, brief, reply, para-wise comments, opinions, and supporting papers. Ensure that SSGC’s viewpoint is correctly presented and its interest safeguarded on legal matters.
• Take steps to ensure that the company is properly represented at the hearings of law suits and that the proceedings at hearings are properly documented and presented for review by the immediate superior and concerned SSGC managers.
• Participate in the preparation, vetting, publication and service of legal notices in various matters pertaining to the company.
• Seek feedback and clarification from stakeholders and relevant departments as and when required to determine company’s stance.
• Assist in vetting the referred legal documents and drafts as the case may be and provide paragraph-wise input in view of adequate risk analysis and impact on SSGC.
• Assist in the representation of the company’s point of view before any arbitrator or in any discussions relating to the settlement of disputes out of court.
• Maintain effective working relationship with the officials of various courts in order to obtain copies of documents, filing of suits or other documents and the smooth execution of procedural formalities.
• Based on proceedings of the Board and its Committees, attend to litigation related matters and report the progress.
• In important matters or as deemed appropriate, represent SSGC during court hearings.
Provide update on the ongoing cases to members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) during their periodic meetings.
• Prepare the status of law suits pertaining to the company and ensure that effective steps are being taken to safeguard the company’s interests at all levels.
• Generate periodic reports for the management on potential legal and litigation risks.
• Study reports on the decisions taken by superior courts on various legal issues, evaluate the probable effect on the company’s operations or the law suits pending in courts and advise the management on the options available.
• Advise the management on changes or amendments in laws and rules along with the applicable implications for the company, if any.
 
• With reference to above matters, guide and support junior legal staff in developing initial drafts / replies / pleadings etc.
and review accordingly.
• Identify and assess risks under their management/ownership.
• Develop and implement risk response strategies for the risks under their management.
• Monitor risks and response strategies under their management.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information provided for risk reporting.
• Perform any other work assigned by immediate supervisor.