RANJITH SEETHARAM
Summary
B-203, Kalpataru Crest, Next to Asian Paints, LBS Marg, Bhandup (West)-Mumbai 400078
Cell +918879661335
I am a generalist lawyer with a demonstrated history of working in varied industries having developed a blend of corporate and litigation experience. Over the years I have developed skills in upstream and downstream oil & gas operations, EPC contracts, corporate and commercial laws, dispute resolution, divestments, IPR management, Ethics compliance and investigations and Real estate management.
I am a collaborator collaborating with multiple stakeholders providing advice on legal issues, evaluating risks, and proposing mitigation to advance goals and objectives of the business.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Counsel
BP Exploration Alpha Limited
12.2015 - Current
- BP is a global Integrated Energy Company with presence in eighty countries
- Advice senior leadership, extended leadership, and other members of BP India on legal aspects of a broad range business, litigation, governance, ethical and compliance issues and identifying and highlighting business and legal risks and developing effective and practical strategies for the management of these
- Achievements
- Worked towards successfully setting aside the Government of India claims of USD 1.5 bn in the Gas Migration arbitration
- Worked on the settlement of the arbitration with Niko and completion of the transfer of Niko’s interest in favor of bp
- Involved in collaboration with Infosys for developing a digital tool for renewable energy
- Successfully bid for the new offshore block KGUDWHP‐2018/1 and worked towards the closure of the Revenue Sharing Contract and the Joint Operating Agreement with the operators
- Instrumental in the farmout of bp’s interest in the CB10 block to Sun Petro for a consideration of USD 6 mn
- Provided legal advice and support on new multiple businesses ventures in India which includes setting up of the GBS entity in India, real estate advisory, zero carbon and biofuel business initiatives.
Regional Legal Counsel
Consulting India Private Limited, URS
03.2013 - 10.2015
- URS is a leading Engineering and Design Consulting firm based out of the USA
- URS has been recently acquired by world’s # 1 design engineering firm AECOM, with a combined net worth of USD 20 bn
- Job Accountabilities
- Overall responsible for the Legal and Governance aspects of URS India
- Serve as a key member of the Senior Management to formulate legal strategies and policies for doing business with utmost integrity
- Counsel India Leaders on applicable legislation/regulations, Contract drafting and Review, Litigation Management, Real Estate transactions, Compliance and Training - Anti-bribery policies, Contract Risk management, company policies and protocols, Ethics Investigation
- Achievements
- Instrumental in vacating Debarment Orders passed by Govt., Agencies against the Company
- Proactively responded to Show Cause Notices by several Govt., agencies to avoid any debarment orders and issuance of recovery notices to defaulting clients and customers;
- Roll out of the URS policies and procedures in the Legacy Company – Played a key role to set up the process for bidding Projects;
- Collaborated closely with cross functional teams to frame India centric Procurement Policy, Employment Contracts and Harassment of women at workplace;
- Successfully oversaw and resolved a complex anti- trust and employee related investigations
- Able to reduce the turnaround time in providing Legal solutions to internal stakeholders.
Head
Gujarat Gas Company Ltd
01.2008 - 01.2013
- GGCL, (an erstwhile subsidiary of BG Group, UK) is India’s leading downstream Gas distributor with revenues of over INR 1000 crores, supplying piped natural gas to industrial customers and domestic households
- Job Accountabilities
- Was part of the Executive Committee and managed the Legal and Governance portfolio with focus on Contracts vetting, Litigation Management and Ethics and Compliance
- Achievements
- Successful in quashing criminal proceedings against Gujarat Gas Directors in the Gujarat High Court
- Successful in quashing the eviction Notice (against Gujarat Gas Office building) by the Surat Municipal Corporation in the District Court, Surat
- Closure of the Asset Swap Agreement with GSPC Gas valued at INR 80 mn
- Proposed changes to the Gas Supply Agreements for Industrial Customers – One of the key highlights was the change in the definition of “Delivery Point” that reduced the impact of Gas thefts by customers.
Senior Manager
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Adani Group is a large Indian multinational conglomerate diversified in Infrastructure, logistics and energy with revenues of USD 9 bn
- Achievements
- Successfully defended applications under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by Mundra International Container Terminal Limited
- Acquisition of 49% stakes in Dholera Port from JK Group, Kanpur
- Assisted Head -Legal in validation of EPC Contract for setting up of Coal fired Power Plant with Sichuan Machinery and Equipment, China and Loan documentation.
Education
<ul><li>Professional Credentials</li><li>Understanding of Oil and Gas Contracts - Internal training Program by BG Group</li></ul> -
01.2011
Post Graduate Diploma - Patent Management
Academy of Intellectual Property Studies
01.2007
R. G -
Advocates
02.2001
Bachelor’s - law
Govt., Law College
01.1997
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Mumbai
01.1994
Diploma - Central Excise
Thiruveni Consultants
01.1994
Accomplishments
- DGM –Legal, Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Zydus Cadila), Ahmedabad, 2001- 2006
- Zydus Cadila is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in India with revenues worth USD 1 bn
- My role focused on managing litigation, acquisition of pharmaceutical brands, Trademarks Management, compliance with Drug Laws, Contracts review and drafting, creating an in-house mechanism for recovering dues and liasioning with external law firms
- Achievements
- Worked towards successfully vacating the Interim Injunction granted to Pfizer Inc
- In a passing-off action of their Trademark Viagra against Cadila’s trademark Penegra
- Successfully oversaw Central Excise Appeal in the Supreme Court, (stakes worth Rs
- 60 lacs)
- Involved in the acquisition of a hypertensive drug Aten from Kopran
- Successfully managed a Patent Litigation on Process Patents in the Supreme Court
- Handled International Patent Litigation against Dr
- Reddys Research Foundation successfully in USA
- Successfully handled the trademark Passing Off Litigation filed by Lily Icos against us for our product mark ZYDALIS which is alleged to be deceptively similar to their mark CIALIS
- Interim Injunction as prayed by LILY Icos refused
- Acquisition of “Nutralite,” the largest selling margarine in India
- Successful in creating a system of filing Criminal Complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act resulting into issuing an average of hundred (100) Notices per month on defaulters and filing of an average of 10-15 Complaints, the entire system has resulted in expeditious recoveries of outstanding dues from Defaulters, thereby positively impacting the cash flow and the bottom line
- Instrumental in obtaining Anticipatory bail for the Directors in the case pertaining to Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act
- Bombay Bar Association - 1998
- Presentations and Publications
- Made a presentation on “Anti-Corruption Laws in India” in the URS Legal Conference - 2014, San Francisco
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- I am an avid student of music (Indian classical) with ‘Mandolin’ as the instrument of choice
- I have participated in various Intra / Inter College Music Events
- RANJITH SEETHARAM
- Confidential
- Page 1 of 4
Timeline
Legal Counsel
BP Exploration Alpha Limited
12.2015 - Current
Regional Legal Counsel
Consulting India Private Limited, URS
03.2013 - 10.2015
Head
Gujarat Gas Company Ltd
01.2008 - 01.2013
Senior Manager
01.2006 - 01.2008
<ul><li>Professional Credentials</li><li>Understanding of Oil and Gas Contracts - Internal training Program by BG Group</li></ul> -
Post Graduate Diploma - Patent Management
Academy of Intellectual Property Studies
R. G -
Advocates
Bachelor’s - law
Govt., Law College
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Mumbai
Diploma - Central Excise
Thiruveni Consultants
Similar Profiles
Michael SchoonmakerMichael Schoonmaker
Onshore Site Manager (Site Authority) Flow Station 3 at BP Exploration AlaskaOnshore Site Manager (Site Authority) Flow Station 3 at BP Exploration Alaska
Joao BundoJoao Bundo
Purchasing Analyst at BP Exploration AngolaPurchasing Analyst at BP Exploration Angola
Rahul KhandeRahul Khande
Computer Operator at Mineral Exploration And Consultancy Limited (Formerly Mineral Exploration Corporation LimitedComputer Operator at Mineral Exploration And Consultancy Limited (Formerly Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited
Jude Howden MurdochJude Howden Murdoch
Senior Legal Counsel (previously Legal Counsel) at Commerce CommissionSenior Legal Counsel (previously Legal Counsel) at Commerce Commission
Sandaru PereraSandaru Perera
Junior Legal Counsel - Senior Legal Counsel at MAS Capital (Private) LimitedJunior Legal Counsel - Senior Legal Counsel at MAS Capital (Private) Limited