Smitha Sara

Results-driven Corporate Legal Counsel with 3+ years of progressive experience in corporate governance, technology law, contract management, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record of advising MNC-scale and technology-driven organisations on complex legal frameworks including the Companies Act 2013, IT Act, GDPR, and India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023. Skilled in translating intricate legal requirements into actionable business strategies for multi-jurisdictional environments.

Admitted to the Bar Council of Kerala; bilingual in English and Malayalam with hands-on experience supporting in-house legal functions at technology and IT services companies.

Legal Associate – Corporate & Technology Law - Primus Corporate Strategies - Kerala, India

(2025-05)

• Draft, review, and maintain board resolutions, internal governance documentation, company policies, and statutory records in full compliance with the Companies Act 2013.
• Manage end-to-end company incorporation workflows and post-incorporation ROC filings, liaising with the Registrar of Companies, banks, and regulatory authorities.
• Provide legal advisory to management on corporate governance frameworks, ensuring businesses meet ongoing statutory obligations with zero compliance gaps.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable compliance roadmaps for business teams across multiple client organisations.
• Lead data governance initiatives and draft digital compliance policies aligned with the IT Act 2000, DPDP Act 2023, and GDPR for technology and SaaS clients.
• Draft, review, and negotiate data processing agreements (DPAs), information security agreements, and vendor contracts for IT/technology-driven businesses.
• Coordinate with senior management and technology teams to align digital operations with evolving Indian and international data protection standards.
• Advise on cybersecurity legal frameworks, including managing legal obligations under India's CERT-In directives and data breach notification requirements.
• Draft and vet a wide range of commercial agreements including MSAs, NDAs, vendor contracts, SLAs, and technology licensing agreements.
• Identify potential legal and regulatory risks across business operations and propose preventive strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Maintain an organised repository of legal records, corporate filings, and compliance timelines, ensuring 100% accuracy and timely submissions.

Legal Advisor – In-House Counsel - Appadore Private Limited - Infopark, Kochi (Hybrid)

(2024-11 - 2025-04)

• Served as in-house legal counsel to a technology company at Infopark Kochi, advising senior management on corporate and regulatory matters in an MNC-style environment.
• Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated legal contracts, commercial agreements, and company policies, ensuring full legal and regulatory soundness.
• Spearheaded data privacy compliance initiatives including reviewing data processing agreements (DPAs) and advising on GDPR and DPDP Act 2023 requirements.
• Provided legal support to HR and commercial functions, including employment agreements, vendor onboarding contracts, and internal policy documentation.
• Conducted ongoing legal risk assessments for new business operations and projects, advising management on risk mitigation strategies and compliance obligations.

Legal Practitioner - A&P Associates, District Court Kollam - Kollam, Kerala

(2023-06 - 2024-09)

• Appeared independently in civil and criminal matters before the District Court, managing case strategy and client representation.
• Conducted in-depth legal research using Manupatra, SCC Online, and Indian Kanoon to support case preparation and legal opinion drafting.
• Assisted in settlement negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings, contributing to successful out-of-court resolutions.
• Drafted legal opinions, court documentation, and preliminary client consultations across a range of civil and commercial disputes.

Bachelor of Laws - LL.B. - CSI Institute of Legal Studies, Kerala University (2020-10 - 2023-04) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science - NSS College, Kerala University (2017-08 - 2020-04) Pandalam, Kerala