Ruhi Suri
LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE PROFESSIONAL
Mumbai
Summary
Accomplished Legal Manager with expertise in contract management, intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and policy drafting. Currently managing legal affairs at First Livingspaces Pvt. Ltd. , with a focus on drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts for technology and AI-based SaaS platforms, including Terms of Use, vendor agreements and employee handbooks. Proven track record in strengthening agreements to ensure data security, compliance and liability protection.
Skilled in providing legal support for corporate secretarial matters and mitigating risks through effective legal strategies. Adept at working cross-functionally to align legal objectives with business goals, while safeguarding the company's interests. Strong background in managing technology-driven contracts and navigating complex legal landscapes in a dynamic business environment.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Legal Manager
First Livingspaces- "Ziki, Sirrus.AI & Yukio"
03.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: B2B and B2C SaaS platforms
- Key Learnings: Mastered cross-functional legal leadership by aligning tech-driven compliance, contract strategy, and policy governance with business scalability.
- Work Exposure: Acted as a legal point of contact, streamlining legal operations and ensuring seamless regulatory compliance across business verticals, reducing external dependency and legal turnaround time; Drafting, reviewing and negotiating diverse commercial contracts (AI-based SaaS, B2B/B2C tech services, NDAs, vendor agreements, licenses), ensuring risk mitigation and enabling faster go-to-market for tech products; Coordinate with external counsel for IPR filings and strategy, resulting in a robust IP portfolio that strengthens brand protection and competitive positioning; Develop and enforce platform-specific Terms of Use, Privacy Policies and Subscription Agreements, driving user trust and ensuring compliance with data privacy and consumer laws, essential for scaling digital operations; Conduct legal vetting of marketing content in line with ASCI and CPA norms, minimizing regulatory risk and ensuring brand reputation in public-facing communications; Support corporate governance by managing board documentation, statutory records and ROC filings, contributing to audit-readiness and investor confidence; Build and implement internal HR and compliance policies (Employee Handbook, POSH, Code of Conduct, Whistleblower), fostering a compliant and ethical work culture aligned with labor and workplace laws; Provide proactive legal advice across departments (Product, HR, Tech, Marketing, Finance), enabling risk-informed decision-making and improving operational efficiency; Deliver in-house training on emerging legal risks, AI governance, and data handling, enhancing legal awareness and compliance readiness across functions; Monitor legal and regulatory developments in tech, AI, IP, advertising, and employment law to ensure business practices stay future-ready and resilient to change.
Associate Vice President- Compliance & Secretarial
Ares Management Asia (India) Private Limited
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Company Overview: Investment advisor & fund manager
- Key Learnings: Gained practical experience in managing AIF compliance, SEBI/RBI filings and corporate governance, ensuring adherence to regulations and effectively supporting internal teams and portfolio companies with compliance matters.
- Work Exposure: Designated as the Company Secretary; Handled AIF Compliance related matters - Periodic filings with SEBI, RBI related filings, Trustee & Investors (InVI, CTRs, TCRs, amendment in PPM, annual PPM audit by Merchant Banker; replying to SEBI queries, amendment in contribution agreement, application for change in AIF registration certificate); Reviewed Compliance Manual and other policies for AIFs and made SOP's to ensure adherence with Compliance Manual & other applicable regulations; Continuously updated the Restricted List for Asia and negotiated NDA's & engagement agreements using established playbooks; Kept track of all applicable regulatory updates and sharing the same for implementation by various departments; Handled all secretarial matters related of AIF; SPOC for data requirements from internal auditors/statutory auditors for AIF & its schemes; Managing labour law registrations & compliances for the Company; Advised portfolio companies on secretarial & compliance matters as & when required.
Lead- Legal & Compliance
Riskcovry
08.2020 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: InsurTech Startup
- Key Learnings: Gained end-to-end legal ownership in a high-growth startup, leading regulatory licensing, fundraising, and operational compliance with investor-grade precision.
- Work Exposure: Co-led the Legal & Compliance function with the CFO, contributing to key strategic decisions, governance, and compliance frameworks supporting business scale-up; Promoted from Manager to Lead – Legal & Compliance, reflecting strong performance and leadership in driving business-critical legal outcomes; Instrumental in co-leading Riskcovry’s Series A & A1 funding rounds with the CFO, ensuring timely legal diligence, compliance readiness, and investor alignment; Successfully obtained IRDAI Insurance Broking License and ISNP approval, directly contributing to business expansion into regulated insurance markets; Led the formulation and implementation of ISO 27001:2013 policies & SOPs, enabling successful certification and strengthening the company’s information security posture; Drafted and negotiated a wide range of contracts including MSLAs, SLAs, SaaS Agreements, NDAs, MOUs, and KMP employment contracts, safeguarding company interests and supporting scalable client onboarding; Streamlined legal operations by standardizing contract templates based on inputs from business and tech teams, reducing contract turnaround time and ensuring consistency; Developed and implemented compliance checklists to ensure full adherence to labor laws, IRDAI regulations, and corporate governance norms; Managed all employment law registrations and post-registration compliances, ensuring seamless HR operations and legal risk mitigation; Spearheaded the ESOP setup process, including policy drafting, implementing grant processes via ESOP management tools, and ongoing monitoring—enhancing employee retention and investor confidence; Handled end-to-end corporate secretarial functions, including Board/Shareholder meetings, ESOP allotments, rights issue, preferential allotment, share transfers, investor consent processes, stamping, and regulatory filings with ROC & RBI; Drafted and updated SOPs, Employee Handbook, and Code of Conduct, aligning internal operations with regulatory expectations and fostering a legally aware organizational culture; Conducted POSH training sessions, building legal awareness and reinforcing a safe, inclusive, and compliant workplace environment; Ensured legal accuracy and completeness in all filings and documentation, promptly identifying and resolving discrepancies to maintain audit readiness.
Associate- Corporate Secretarial (BSO)
BDO India LLP
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Company Overview: Consulting
- Key Learnings: Gained hands-on experience in corporate law, foreign subsidiary setup, and compliance (FEMA, Companies Act, Labour Laws), while supporting cross-functional teams in due diligence and timely transaction closures.
- Work Exposure: Provided legal opinions, memorandums, and guidance to clients on Companies Act, FEMA (FDI& ODI) and Labour Laws; Incorporated entities which mainly included complete setup of foreign subsidiaries in India and post set up compliances under various legislations; Obtained Loan Registration Number for External Commercial Borrowing and filed monthly utilization returns (Form ECB-2) with the AD Bank; Drafting of various policies and Agreements; Conducting due diligence for target companies and assisting transaction team to close the transaction timely and efficiently
Consultant- Regulatory & Compliance Practice
En Pointe Adwisers LLP
08.2017 - 04.2019
- Company Overview: Consulting
- Key Learnings: Gained experience in supporting startups setting up regulatory and legal operations in India, handling corporate governance, regulatory filings and due diligence under the applicable laws.
- Work Exposure: Maintenance of Corporate Secretarial records for clients as per the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 & Secretarial Standards; Supported startup's in their funding rounds which included preparing their documents, employment policies, regulatory filings etc; Preparation of compounding applications to RBI; Conducted Legal and Secretarial Due Diligence for Companies.
Assistant Manager- Business Advisory Services
ASA- Corporate Catalyst (India) Private Limited
03.2016 - 07.2017
- ;Company Overview: Consulting
- Key Learnings: Gained hands-on experience in supporting Japanese clients with market entry into India, managing liaison office and foreign subsidiary setups, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and facilitating regulatory approvals for foreign investments.
- Work Exposure: Promoted from Intern to Assistant Manager for strong performance in legal and secretarial functions; Supported setup of Liaison Offices and foreign subsidiaries in India, including post-setup compliances; Maintained statutory records and ensured timely ROC filings under Companies Act; Assisted in drafting FIPB application for Single Brand Retail Trading approval; Enabled smooth regulatory compliance for foreign market entry and corporate governance.
Education
LLB - Law
University of Rajasthan
Rajasthan 06.2014 - 06.2017
Company Secretary - undefined
Institute of Company Secretaries of India
Bachelors of Commerce - undefined
University of Delhi
Senior Secondary - undefined
Delhi Public School, Dwarka
Skills
Contract Management
Data privacy
Licensing agreements
Corporate governance
Employment law
Legal advisory
Time management
Corporate Secretarial
Accomplishments
- 2020, Game Changer Award, Riskcovry, Mumbai
- 2019, Spot Award, BDO India LLP, Mumbai
Timeline
Legal Manager
First Livingspaces- "Ziki, Sirrus.AI & Yukio"
03.2024 - Current
Associate Vice President- Compliance & Secretarial
Ares Management Asia (India) Private Limited
10.2022 - 09.2023
Lead- Legal & Compliance
Riskcovry
08.2020 - 09.2022
Associate- Corporate Secretarial (BSO)
BDO India LLP
05.2019 - 08.2020
Consultant- Regulatory & Compliance Practice
En Pointe Adwisers LLP
08.2017 - 04.2019
Assistant Manager- Business Advisory Services
ASA- Corporate Catalyst (India) Private Limited
03.2016 - 07.2017
LLB - Law
University of Rajasthan
06.2014 - 06.2017
Company Secretary - undefined
Institute of Company Secretaries of India
Bachelors of Commerce - undefined
University of Delhi
Senior Secondary - undefined
Delhi Public School, Dwarka
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