About S&A Law Offices
S&A Law Offices is a full-service law firm headquartered in Delhi NCR. The firm has 300+ professionals, including experienced lawyers (with advocacy expertise and dual qualified professionals), chartered accountants, company secretaries, patent and trademark agents, engineers, industry experts, and specialized paralegal staff. With strategically located offices across Gurugram, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad and associate offices across India, the firm is fully equipped to provide legal services on a pan-India basis to both domestic and international clients. S&A practice groups have been broadly divided into the following practice groups: Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), Litigation, Corporate and M&A, Restructuring and Insolvency, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Taxation (Direct and Indirect), Customs & Trade, Real Estate and Energy.
Role Overview
The Partner Indirect Taxes will lead the Firm’s Indirect Tax, Customs, and Foreign Trade practice, providing strategic advisory and litigation services across GST, Customs, and Foreign Trade Policy to multinational and domestic clients. The role encompasses client development, team leadership, and thought leadership.
Key Responsibilities
GST Advisory and Compliance
- Advising on GST issues including classification, tax rates, exemption notifications, input tax credit eligibility, job work, reverse charge liability, valuation, and related matters; assisting with refund claims and monthly/annual GST returns.
- Conducting GST health checks across compliance and transactional matters.
Customs and Foreign Trade
- Advising on Customs Act issues, importability, classification, tariff rates, exemption notifications, country-of-origin rules, duty drawback, dual-use items, restricted technologies, and SCOMET-listed items, and assisting in SVB investigations.
- Advising on the setting up, demerger, and exit of units in EOUs, SEZs, and similar zones; filing applications for export incentives and obtaining or regularising licences under the Foreign Trade Policy.
- Advising on import compliance under Free Trade Agreements.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Drafting and filing replies to show cause notices, appeals, submissions, and writ petitions before departmental authorities, tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court; handling investigations initiated by the DGGSTI and DRI.
Business Development and Leadership
- Developing and expanding the Firm’s indirect tax client base, leveraging an established book of business and professional network; building, mentoring, and leading a team of associates and senior associates.
- Engaging in thought leadership through publications, speaking engagements, and industry forums; contributing to policy advocacy with government bodies and regulatory authorities.
- Collaborating with other practice groups within the Firm to deliver integrated, multidisciplinary solutions to clients on complex transactions.
Qualifications and Experience
- LL.B. from a recognised university; Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification highly desirable; dual qualification preferred. Minimum 12-15 years of post-qualification experience in GST, Customs, and Foreign Trade advisory and litigation, ideally within a leading law firm, Big Four firm, or both.
- Established book of business with a demonstrable track record of originating and managing client relationships; proven experience representing clients before the CESTAT, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India.
- Strong working knowledge of the Customs Tariff Act, Foreign Trade Policy, SEZ laws, and related trade legislation.
Desired Attributes
- Strategic and commercial mindset with excellent written and oral advocacy skills; ability to communicate complex tax issues clearly to clients and stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, team management, and business development capabilities.
- High degree of professional integrity and commitment to ethical practice.
