Legal Advocate

Trade Bridge Advisors LLP; Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Trade Bridge Advisors LLP, based in Mumbai, offers regulatory and trade advisory services with a team including former IRS officers. The Advocate role is the legal backbone for the firm's representation practice, handling show cause responses, appearances before authorities, and drafting appeals and writ matters across customs, GST, PMLA, SEZ and FEMA issues.

We seek an enrolled advocate comfortable with statutory interpretation, case-law research and departmental proceedings, aiming to build a

Qualifications

• LLB (3/5 year) enrolled with a State Bar Council and eligible to practise.
• LLM or additional coursework in Taxation, Customs or International Trade Law is an advantage.
• Minimum 3 years of practice with exposure to Customs, GST or indirect tax litigation.

Responsibilities

• Study show cause notices and prepare detailed replies and submissions.
• Appear before Customs, GST and SEZ/DGFT authorities, including adjudicating authorities.
• Draft appeals before tribunals and assist in writ petitions and High Court matters.
• Draft legal opinions and maintain a repository of judgments and precedents.

Skills

Statutory interpretation

Drafting and submissions

Legal research

Hearing advocacy

MS Office

Education

LLB (3/5-year)

LLM or Tax/Customs/International Trade advantage

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Trade Bridge Advisors LLP is a Mumbai-based regulatory and trade advisory firm. Our team includes former Senior Officers of the Indian Revenue Service, who bring decades of experience in administering Customs and GST laws, along with a young, execution-focused team.

We advise on EXIM, Customs, GST, DGFT, SEZ and FEMA matters for clients across gems and jewellery, EOU / SEZ manufacturing, logistics, chemicals and engineering, with a strong working presence across SEEPZ, KASEZ, JNPT-SEZ and the Pune cluster SEZs. As the practice grows, we are expanding the team with professionals who want to build a serious career in trade and indirect tax regulation.

Role Overview

The Advocate will be the legal backbone of the firm's representation practice. The role involves drafting replies to show cause notices, appearing before adjudicating and appellate authorities, preparing appeals and writ matters, and handling proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and giving sound legal opinions on customs, GST, PMLA, SEZ, DGFT and FEMA issues.

We are looking for an enrolled advocate who is comfortable with statutory interpretation, case-law research and the practical reality of departmental proceedings, and who can build a litigation-oriented practice alongside the firm's advisory team.

Key Responsibilities

A. Adjudication & Departmental Proceedings

• Study show cause notices, relied-upon documents and investigation material, and prepare detailed, well-structured replies and written submissions.
• Appear and present the client's case in personal hearings before Customs, GST and SEZ / DGFT authorities, including adjudicating authorities and Commissioners.
• Prepare for and attend summons, statement recordings and investigation-stage proceedings in coordination with partners and clients.
• Represent clients in PMLA matters - responding to summons and notices from the Directorate of Enforcement, provisional attachment proceedings and show cause notices before the PMLA Adjudicating Authority.
• Track hearing dates, deadlines and limitation periods across all pending matters.

B. Appeals & Higher Forums

• Draft appeals before the Commissioner (Appeals), the CESTAT and GST Appellate Tribunal, along with stay applications, grounds of appeal and paper books.
• Draft appeals before the Appellate Tribunal under PMLA, and assist in writ petitions, bail-related and other proceedings before the High Court, working with counsel where required.
• Prepare case summaries, chronologies and legal notes for senior partners and arguing counsel.

C. Legal Opinions & Research

• Research and analyse the Customs Act 1962, CGST / IGST Acts and Rules, Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 and Rules, SEZ Act and Rules, Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, FTP and FEMA, along with notifications, circulars and case law.
• Draft legal opinions, representations and replies to government authorities on contested or ambiguous provisions.
• Maintain an organised repository of judgments, tribunal orders and precedents for reference by the team.

D. Client & Documentation Support

• Draft engagement letters, authority letters, vakalatnamas, affidavits, undertakings and other formal legal documents.
• Advise clients on legal exposure, evidence and documentation to be preserved, and strategy for pending proceedings.
• Coordinate with clients, chartered accountants and the firm's consultants to build complete and consistent submissions.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Qualification

• LLB (3-year or 5-year); enrolled with a State Bar Council and eligible to practise.
• LLM or additional coursework in Taxation, Customs or International Trade Law is an advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum 3 years of practice, with demonstrated exposure to Customs, GST or other indirect tax litigation.
• Experience in drafting SCN replies and appearing before adjudicating authorities; exposure to CESTAT / High Court / PMLA matters is preferred.
• Working knowledge of PMLA, SEZ, DGFT or FEMA proceedings will be a distinct advantage.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong command of statutory interpretation and the ability to apply provisions and case law to complex fact patterns.
• Excellent drafting ability in clear, precise legal English.
• Comfort with legal research databases and government portals (CBIC, ICEGATE, GST Portal, DGFT, SEZ Online, Enforcement Directorate / PMLA notices and orders).
• Proficiency in MS Office; ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines simultaneously.

Personal Attributes

• Sound legal judgment, composure under pressure and strong presence in hearings.
• High standards of professional ethics, confidentiality and accountability.
• Ownership mindset - able to run matters with limited supervision and keep partners informed.

What We Offer

• Hands-on litigation exposure across Customs, GST, PMLA, SEZ and DGFT matters for a diverse client base.
• A knowledge-intensive environment with exposure to varied mandates across industries and regulators.
• Direct access to and mentorship from senior partners, including retired senior officers of the Indian Revenue Service.
• Genuine scope for growth, with responsibility increasing as capability is demonstrated.
• Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience and aligned to consultancy market standards.