Vijender Deo

Legal professional and Advocate with 14+ years of experience in banking, financial services, regulatory advisory, litigation management, recovery, contract management and dispute resolution. Currently working as AVP – Legal with Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, with prior experience at National Housing Bank and Bank of Baroda, and legal practice before the Delhi High Court and other courts and tribunals. Experienced in advising business and operational teams, managing legal risks, drafting and negotiating commercial and banking documents, handling SARFAESI and DRT/DRAT matters, coordinating external counsel, and supporting regulatory compliance.

Provides practical legal advice with a focus on business requirements, risk control and applicable Indian laws and RBI directions.

AVP – Legal - Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

(2025-07)

• Provide legal advisory support to business, operations and management teams on banking operations, commercial arrangements and legal risk matters.
• Draft, review, vet and negotiate commercial contracts, agreements and other legal documents, ensuring appropriate legal and business protections.
• Review tender documents and provide legal comments, advice and risk inputs before execution or submission.
• Advise on contractual obligations, legal risks, applicable laws, regulatory requirements and risk-mitigation measures.
• Draft and vet lease deeds, mortgage deeds, title deeds, commercial contracts, purchase orders, NDAs, MOUs and related documents.
• Review internal policies and processes and advise on legal and regulatory compliance, including applicable RBI directions and data-protection requirements.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and internal stakeholders on litigation, notices and other legal matters.

Senior Legal Manager - National Housing Bank (NHB)

(2023-08 - 2025-04)

• Managed litigation and legal matters involving DRT, DRAT, SARFAESI, labour and service matters; coordinated with external counsel and monitored case progress.
• Prepared and reviewed legal opinions, pleadings, documentation and legal audit observations; supported matters before the Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court.
• Drafted, reviewed and vetted commercial contracts, agreements, deeds, MOUs, NDAs, lease deeds, mortgage deeds, title deeds and powers of attorney.
• Reviewed tender documents and advised management on contractual terms, legal exposure and risk mitigation.
• Advised on consumer litigation under the Consumer Protection Act and on internal policies, procedures and legal implications.
• Handled RTI matters and appeals; coordinated with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, HUDCO, Ministry of Law & Justice and Ministry of Finance on legal and regulatory matters.

Legal Manager - Bank of Baroda

(2018-11 - 2023-08)

• Worked as Central Nodal Officer for the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT), New Delhi, handling litigation and recovery-related legal matters.
• Managed and monitored matters relating to DRT, DRAT and SARFAESI, including coordination with external advocates and follow-up on court proceedings.
• Reviewed pleadings, legal documents and internal policies; advised business and operational teams on legal and contractual issues.
• Drafted and vetted contracts, counter-affidavits, affidavits, written submissions, notes of arguments and other legal documents.
• Drafted and reviewed title deeds, mortgage deeds, commercial contracts, POAs, lease deeds and MOUs.
• Handled RTI matters and appeals and provided legal opinions and support to operational teams.

Practising Advocate - High Court of Delhi and other Courts / Tribunals

(2013-01 - 2018-11)

• Independently handled litigation, legal drafting, pleadings, legal research, vetting and client advisory.
• Represented clients before the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, District Courts, DRT, DRAT, Consumer Commissions and other judicial forums.
• Handled SARFAESI, DRT/DRAT and banking recovery matters, including preparation and filing of pleadings and applications.
• Drafted and handled Special Leave Petitions and writ petitions before the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court.
• Handled civil suits, criminal matters, matters under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, consumer disputes and labour/service matters.
• Handled arbitration, conciliation and mediation proceedings and prepared legal opinions, pleadings and supporting documentation.

B.Com. (Honours)

LL.B. – Bachelor of Laws - Utkal University (2012)