VIVEK KUMAR BHAGAT
Legal Compliance & Ethics Leader
New Delhi
Summary
Seasoned ethics and compliance leader with extensive experience managing high-impact ethics programs, fraud, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, M&A due diligence, and labor & employment law to ensure compliance with global standards. Proven track record in designing and executing global initiatives like Compliance Champion programs and Ethics Weeks to promote ethical behavior and mitigate risk. Expert in addressing privacy, trade compliance, conflicts of interest, and security issues across diverse jurisdictions including India, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oceana. Skilled in navigating complex legal frameworks, resolving statutory and regulatory compliance issues, aligning corporate strategies with regulatory requirements, and fostering a culture of accountability and integrity. Recognized for building strong cross-functional relationships and enabling businesses to manage compliance effectively in a complex global environment.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Independent Legal Practitioner
Independent Legal Practitioner
01.2024 - Current
- An experienced independent legal practitioner providing specialized services in labour and employment law, consumer protection law, and regulatory representation for Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in India and individuals in Australia. This practitioner offers comprehensive legal expertise, strategic advice, and litigation services across a wide array of industries and legal matters, ensuring clients' compliance with Australian laws and mitigating potential risks.
- Legal Representation: Representing clients before civil, criminal, administrative and specialized tribunals across multiple APAC jurisdictions, ensuring effective legal advocacy and compliance with procedural requirements.
- Research & Case Strategy: Conducting in-depth legal research, gathered and analyzed evidence and developed well-structured arguments tailored to the nuances of each case and jurisdiction, enhancing case success rates.
- Regulatory Compliance: Providing comprehensive legal advice on compliance with local and international regulations, including industry-specific laws and standards, ensuring clients operate within legal frameworks across APAC.
- Risk & Mitigation Advisory: Identifying potential legal and regulatory risks, conducting impact analyses and advising clients on proactive mitigation strategies to prevent non-compliance, financial penalties and reputational damage.
Regional Ethics, Commercial Contract & Employment Counsel (APAC, SEA, GCC)
BECHTEL CORPORATION
06.2023 - 12.2023
- Stakeholder Engagement & Change Leadership: Led regional ethics, compliance, employment law, advisory, employee relations, and third party risk management initiatives across APAC, Southeast Asia, and the GCC. Served as a strategic legal advisor and people compliance leader, ensuring full alignment with international standards and local labour laws. Specialized in managing complex ER matters, policy development, POSH compliance, and cross-border investigations, while supporting business growth and ethical governance.
- Regional Legal & Compliance Leadership (APAC, SEA, GCC): Provided expert legal and regulatory counsel to business leadership across APAC/SEA/GCC including Australia regions. Advised on company law, labour and employment law, data privacy, SEZ/STPI compliance, OSP registration, and corporate law requirements in support of shared services and ITES operations. Oversaw litigation management and regulatory representation before courts and government authorities in APAC, SEA, GCC & Australia.
- Corporate Governance & Entity Compliance Management: Led corporate secretarial and governance functions, including maintenance of statutory registers, preparation of board meeting agendas, drafting of board and shareholder resolutions, and filing of statutory returns with ROC and MCA. Ensured full compliance with Indian Companies Act and applicable governance frameworks, while liaising with external counsel and internal stakeholders for timely execution of board directives.
- Compliance Program Development & Regulatory Advisory: Developed and maintained written compliance policies and standard operating procedures aligned with Indian, APAC, SEA, GCC, Australia, and international regulations (FCPA, UKBA, Anti-Kickback Statutes). Conducted legal risk assessments and advised on regulatory developments, ensuring Bechtel entities operated in full legal and policy compliance. Regularly evaluated and updated corporate policies on conflicts of interest, gifts and entertainment, third-party due diligence, and anti-boycotting.
- Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Legal Documentation: Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of commercial and government contracts including Concession agreements, Consortium Agreement, Mega Infrastructure Agreement, BOT, BOOT, BOO, O&M, World Bank Agreements, employment and consultancy contracts, service level agreements, and lease documentation. Ensured all agreements aligned with corporate legal policy and protected business interests in cross-border service delivery environments.
- Employee Relations, Workplace Investigations & Labor Law Compliance: Advised HR and senior management on complex labour and employee relations matters including terminations, performance management, employee classification, leave entitlements, and workplace conduct investigations. Ensured regulatory compliance with Indian and Philippine labour laws, including adherence to wage regulations, employee rights, anti-harassment policies, and workplace safety mandates.
- Cross-Border Legal & Strategic Advisory Support: Supported business and legal leadership with international legal advisory across operational, procurement, and compliance functions. Translated complex legal risks into actionable business recommendations, particularly for M&A, infrastructure projects, and vendor engagements across APAC, SEA, GCC region. Participated in global legal reviews to ensure regional alignment with enterprise-wide legal strategy.
- External Counsel & Regulatory Interface Management: Maintained strong relationships with external legal advisors in APAC, SEA, GCC, ensuring high-quality representation and strategic guidance in litigation, government audits, and regulatory inquiries. Acted as primary legal interface for industry bodies, ensuring enterprise readiness for legislative and regulatory changes.
- Compliance Training, Awareness & Culture Enablement: Designed and delivered localized training for managers and staff on legal risk, ethics, anti-bribery/anti-corruption, privacy, and employment law compliance. Promoted a culture of legal awareness, ethical business conduct, and regulatory adherence across India and the broader APAC, SEA, GCC, Australia region.
- Data-Driven Risk Management & Reporting: Used compliance dashboards and legal analytics to monitor emerging risks, track regulatory trends, and support timely reporting to APAC and global legal leadership. Developed and presented risk reports and legal compliance updates for senior business management and legal operations.
Regional Ethics, Commercial & Investigation Manager (APAC)
CARELEN GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Led the development and execution of ethics, compliance and investigation strategies across APAC, focusing on regulatory adherence, vendor risk management and maintaining organizational integrity.
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance (APAC, India, Philippines, Ireland): Provided strategic legal counsel on cross-border employment, labour, and regulatory compliance across APAC, including India, the Philippines, and Ireland. Ensured organizational compliance with local statutory frameworks, including labour laws, data protection, corporate governance, SEZ/STPI regulations, and sector-specific regulations in energy, oil & gas, environment, telecommunications, infrastructure, and technology. Advised business leaders on legal risks and regulatory obligations, ensuring operational compliance and risk mitigation in multi-jurisdictional environments.
- Corporate Governance & Board Advisory: Led corporate governance activities across multiple jurisdictions, including maintaining statutory registers, drafting board resolutions, and managing regulatory filings. Provided legal guidance to directors and executive stakeholders on entity management, board procedures, and fiduciary duties in accordance with local corporate laws and global governance standards.
- Internal Investigations & Employee Relations: Directed sensitive internal investigations involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, fraud, retaliation, and conflicts of interest. Partnered with Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit, and HR teams to ensure fair, objective, and legally compliant resolution processes. Maintained confidentiality, procedural fairness, and alignment with corporate ethics frameworks.
- Policy Development & Compliance Frameworks: Designed, implemented, and localized enterprise-wide compliance and employment policies to reflect regional legal developments and evolving regulatory standards. Areas of focus included anti-bribery and corruption (ABAC), whistleblower protection, workplace behaviour, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Ensured internal controls were audit-ready and aligned with global compliance benchmarks.
- Contract Management & Legal Negotiation: Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of commercial agreements, including employment contracts, labour supply agreements, procurement contracts, service-level agreements (SLAs), non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and real estate leases. Supported vendor due diligence, intercompany agreements, and legal reviews for procurement and outsourcing initiatives.
- Third-Party Risk & Ethics Compliance: Oversaw third-party risk management programs with a focus on ethical conduct, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance. Conducted due diligence on external business partners, monitored compliance with internal codes of conduct, and ensured adherence to global anti-bribery, data privacy, and human rights standards.
- Executive Legal Reporting & Strategic Advisory: Prepared and delivered executive-level legal risk assessments, compliance dashboards, and board reporting packages. Collaborated with global legal and compliance teams-particularly U.S.-based leadership-to align local insights with enterprise risk management strategies and regulatory expectations.
- Legal Training & Compliance Awareness: Developed and delivered targeted legal and compliance training for business leaders, HR, and cross-functional stakeholders. Covered critical risk areas such as anti-harassment, ethical leadership, legal obligations of people managers, and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Fostered a proactive compliance culture through engagement and capacity building.
- Employment Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Managed employment-related litigation and pre-litigation matters, including wrongful dismissal claims, wage disputes, and workplace safety allegations. Coordinated with external counsel and represented the company in regulatory inquiries and administrative proceedings across India and the broader APAC region.
- Cross-Functional Legal Leadership & Global Stakeholder Engagement: Served as a key legal advisor to cross-functional teams including Compliance, HR, Operations, and Business Leadership. Translated complex legal requirements into actionable business strategies. Supported legal risk management in matrixed global environments and advised on high-impact decisions with regulatory implications.
Senior Legal Counsel & Compliance Officer (APAC, EMEA, US)
RE SUSTAINABILITY LTD.
05.2020 - 08.2022
- Global Employment Law Advisory & Regional Risk Oversight (APAC, EMEA, US): Provided strategic, cross-border legal guidance on complex employment matters including employee conduct, violation of company code of conduct or policies, disciplinary actions, terminations, employee mobility, and compensation across APAC, EMEA, and the US. Ensured alignment with evolving local and international labour laws along with regional work councils. Advised HR leaders and business stakeholders on performance management, workplace safety, and compliance risks to mitigate legal exposure.
- Employee Relations & Complex Case Management: Led end-to-end management of employee relations issues, including high-complexity investigations related to harassment (including POSH), discrimination, retaliation, and subcontractor, gig workers grievances, ethical misconduct. Served as a trusted regional advisor to HR and leadership, providing actionable insights on conflict resolution, grievances, and employee well-being, fostering an inclusive and compliant work environment.
- Compliance Program Leadership & Policy Development: Designed and implemented comprehensive global HR compliance policies, including anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, and workplace conduct guidelines. Ensured regional customization while harmonizing with global standards. Partnered with Legal, HR, and business units to develop policies reflecting cultural and legal nuances across jurisdictions, particularly in APAC, EMEA, US.
- POSH Compliance & Training: Oversaw compliance with POSH legislation across India and APAC. Conducted impartial investigations and facilitated employee training to foster awareness and prevent workplace harassment. Developed culturally sensitive training modules for managers and employees on POSH and workplace conduct.
- Manager Coaching & Conflict Mediation: Acted as a strategic partner to line managers, providing coaching on best practices in performance management, disciplinary procedures, and resolution of interpersonal conflicts. Facilitated mediation and early resolution of workplace disputes to ensure a respectful, high-performing work culture.
- Internal Investigations & Ethics Oversight: Led sensitive investigations involving misconduct, conflicts of interest, drug abuse, gift, entertainment and curtsies, government interaction, vendor fraud, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, crisis management, fraud, and breaches of company policy. Worked closely with regional as well as global HR, Corporate Audit, and Legal teams to ensure process integrity, compliance with regional labour laws, and protection of employee rights. Maintained detailed documentation and conducted follow-ups on corrective action implementation.
- HR Compliance Training & Capacity Building: Developed and delivered compliance and ethics training across APAC, EMEA, and the US. Training topics included harassment prevention, D&I, ethical decision-making, and regulatory updates. Ensured training effectiveness through stakeholder engagement and feedback mechanisms.
- Cross-Functional Risk & Regulatory Compliance Partnership: Collaborated with regional as well as global Legal, Finance, HR, and Operations during M&A, restructuring, and market entry activities. Advised on regional legal and compliance risks associated with people strategies, and helped design controls that aligned with enterprise-wide standards and local regulatory requirements.
- Third-Party Risk & Governance: Led compliance reviews and due diligence for external vendors, contractors, and agents, ensuring adherence to anti-corruption regulations (FCPA, UKBA) and internal codes of conduct. Managed third-party investigations and remediation plans.
- Labor Litigation & External Counsel Oversight: Managed employment-related litigation and dispute resolution across global markets. Worked closely with external counsel to develop litigation strategy while maintaining corporate policy alignment and protecting business reputation.
- Enterprise Risk Management & ESG Integration: Led the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program across India operations, aligning legal, compliance, and ESG frameworks with business objectives. Monitored regulatory developments, conducted risk assessments, and reported findings to executive leadership. Integrated ESG factors into compliance planning and stakeholder reporting.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Directed and mentored cross-regional teams, fostering a culture of compliance, transparency, and ethical leadership. Engaged with internal stakeholders and represented the company in external forums, including regulatory bodies and industry associations, to stay abreast of evolving compliance standards.
Legal & Ethics Manager (APAC, SAARC)
JONES LANG LASALLE INC. (JLL)
09.2019 - 04.2020
- Strategic Compliance & Employee Relations Management: Led end-to-end employee relations and compliance programs across APAC and SAARC, focusing on people-related risks including workplace misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, and ethical breaches. Ensured alignment with global standards, such as the Global Anti-Discrimination Policy, while adapting practices to comply with local laws and cultural nuances. Served as a key regional advisor to senior leaders and HRBPs on complex ER cases, offering sound legal and strategic guidance.
- Investigation & Resolution of Workplace Misconduct: Independently managed high-complexity internal investigations involving harassment (including POSH-related issues), bullying, mobbing, and conflicts of interest. Ensured timely, impartial, and confidential resolution in collaboration with Legal, HR, and Audit functions. Maintained rigorous documentation and ensured application of appropriate corrective and preventive actions in line with corporate integrity principles.
- Policy Development & Regional Harmonization: Led the development, localization, and rollout of HR compliance and employee relations policies. Ensured policies reflected both global guidance and regional labour laws, promoting fairness and legal adherence. Spearheaded initiatives to harmonize practices across jurisdictions, ensuring consistency and minimizing compliance risks.
- HR Compliance Advisory & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Acted as a regional subject matter expert and advisor on HR compliance matters including internal fraud, employee grievances, conflicts of interest, and regulatory risks. Partnered with HR, Finance, and Legal to proactively assess and manage legal exposure related to employment practices. Supported leaders with performance management, conflict mediation, and grievance resolution strategies.
- Training, POSH Education & Culture Building: Designed and facilitated culturally tailored compliance training across business units, emphasizing ethics, discrimination prevention, POSH laws, and retaliation awareness. Conducted manager coaching and awareness campaigns to embed a culture of dignity, inclusion, and psychological safety. Ensured legal compliance and reinforced company values through structured communication and training plans.
- Risk Monitoring, Trend Analysis & Leadership Reporting: Developed and presented compliance dashboards and risk trend reports to regional leadership during global as well as regional ethics, compliance and cultural committee. Provided insights into emerging people risks and led discussions on strategic mitigation measures. Utilized data to drive transparency, improve workplace culture, and influence continuous improvement efforts across compliance programs.
- Third-Party Risk Management & Vendor Oversight: Oversaw regional investigations involving vendor-related misconduct, ensuring third-party adherence to the organization's Vendor Code of Conduct. Conducted due diligence assessments and strengthened governance protocols related to external people risks.
- Thought Leadership & Cultural Transformation: Influenced and advanced the organization's compliance maturity through strategic ER leadership and cultural transformation initiatives. Championed ethical leadership, shaped proactive ER strategies, and provided mentorship to regional teams to reinforce a compliant and inclusive workplace environment.
Assistant Legal Manager (GeM Government Project)
INTELLECT DESIGN ARENA LTD.
10.2017 - 08.2019
Team Lead - Legal
ONE97 COMMUNICATIONS LTD. (Paytm/Alibaba)
09.2015 - 10.2017
Senior Legal Associate
JS LAW CHAMBERS
02.2012 - 09.2015
Legal Associate
SINGHANIA & CO. LLP
07.2010 - 02.2012
Education
LLM - Corporate & Financial Law
Jindal Global Law School
P.G. Diploma - Media Laws: Intellectual Property Rights
National Academy of Legal Studies and Research
B.A.LLB (Hons.) - undefined
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Skills
- Governance & Ethical Compliance Oversight
- Regulatory Risk Assessment & Investigation
- Contract Structuring & Execution Strategy
- Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence & Integration
- Third-Party Risk Management
- Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption (ABAC) Compliance
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
- Labour & Employment Management
- Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Compliance
- Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Trade Compliance & Sanction Management
- ESG Frameworks & Corporate Sustainability
Litigation strategy
Websites
Certification
Privacy Law and HIPAA, University of Pennsylvania, 06/22
Timeline
Independent Legal Practitioner
Independent Legal Practitioner
01.2024 - Current
Regional Ethics, Commercial Contract & Employment Counsel (APAC, SEA, GCC)
BECHTEL CORPORATION
06.2023 - 12.2023
Regional Ethics, Commercial & Investigation Manager (APAC)
CARELEN GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
08.2022 - 05.2023
Senior Legal Counsel & Compliance Officer (APAC, EMEA, US)
RE SUSTAINABILITY LTD.
05.2020 - 08.2022
Legal & Ethics Manager (APAC, SAARC)
JONES LANG LASALLE INC. (JLL)
09.2019 - 04.2020
Assistant Legal Manager (GeM Government Project)
INTELLECT DESIGN ARENA LTD.
10.2017 - 08.2019
Team Lead - Legal
ONE97 COMMUNICATIONS LTD. (Paytm/Alibaba)
09.2015 - 10.2017
Senior Legal Associate
JS LAW CHAMBERS
02.2012 - 09.2015
Legal Associate
SINGHANIA & CO. LLP
07.2010 - 02.2012
P.G. Diploma - Media Laws: Intellectual Property Rights
National Academy of Legal Studies and Research
B.A.LLB (Hons.) - undefined
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
LLM - Corporate & Financial Law
Jindal Global Law School
Similar Profiles
Querita B HardnickQuerita B Hardnick
ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT, CREDITORS CLERK, ADMIN ASS, at JAN OLIVIER & CO LEGAL PRACTITIONERACCOUNTS ASSISTANT, CREDITORS CLERK, ADMIN ASS, at JAN OLIVIER & CO LEGAL PRACTITIONER
George UmoluGeorge Umolu
Legal Practitioner, Principal and Head of Chambers at George Umolu & Co., Legal Practitioner.Legal Practitioner, Principal and Head of Chambers at George Umolu & Co., Legal Practitioner.
Anjali Anjali null
Law Intern at Advocate Harsimran Singh (Criminologist & Legal Practitioner)Law Intern at Advocate Harsimran Singh (Criminologist & Legal Practitioner)
SIDDHARTH SHANKARSIDDHARTH SHANKAR
Subject Matter Expert-Back Office Executive at EXL Service Ltd.Subject Matter Expert-Back Office Executive at EXL Service Ltd.
Satyam DhawanSatyam Dhawan
Senior Software Engineer at EmidsSenior Software Engineer at Emids