In the legal arena, widespread recognition comes when the counselling advocate is of the stature of Bhupendra Premi, the General Manager of Legal of Supertech Group companies. With over 16 years of legal expertise, Bhupendra has established himself as a formidable force in the legal landscape, particularly in real estate, Insolvency, arbitration, and corporate litigation.
As Legal Counsel for the Supertech Group and an alumnus of the Faculty of Law at Delhi University, he excels in handling complex disputes under RERA, IBC, SARFAESI, and PMLA. His proficiency in litigation management, agreement vetting, and high-stakes arbitration has safeguarded corporate interests while setting legal benchmarks.
A strategic legal professional, Bhupendra is redefining excellence in dispute resolution, making him a standout legal expert to watch in 2025.
Fulfilling His Father’s Wishes
Bhupendra’s journey in the legal profession is deeply rooted in his father’s vision. His father, a teacher, once expressed his desire for Bhupendra to become an advocate when he was just 7-8 years old. Though he lost his father at a young age, just after his Senior Secondary results, this vision remained with him, guiding his career choices. Determined to fulfil his father’s dream, he pursued law and earned his LLB from the prestigious Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Delhi University, in 2008.
For Bhupendra, entering the legal field was more than just a career choice—it was a tribute to his father’s wish. This personal motivation has fueled his resilience as a first-generation lawyer, helping him navigate challenges with determination. From his early experience at a South Delhi-based law firm to in-house roles at Religare Group and leadership positions in the real estate sector with CREDAI and Supertech Group, every step in his journey reflects his commitment to excellence and the values instilled in him from a young age.
Thinking Beyond the Conventional
Bhupendra’s guiding philosophy and the driving force behind his success are rooted in honesty, dedication, and a proactive approach to tackling the daily challenges of corporate legal affairs. As an In-House Counsel and Head of the Legal Department, he consistently thinks beyond conventional solutions to safeguard the organization’s interests while maintaining a strategic business perspective. His strong leadership qualities enable him to navigate complex legal challenges and deliver effective solutions.
The unwavering support of his family plays a crucial role in his journey. Their encouragement has helped him overcome difficult situations while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He considers himself fortunate to have their support, allowing him to stay focused and driven in his professional endeavours.
Evolving with the Era
In a continuously evolving legal profession, it’s essential to be adaptable, proactive, and well-informed to stay ahead of industry trends and remain effective, believes Bhupendra. It is always a priority for him to engage in open discussions with his team and other professionals, as collaboration often sparks new ideas and perspectives. As lawyers representing a business, it is essential to be in touch with persons with different sets of specialities. He regularly reviews recent judgments, attends relevant conferences, and participates in webinars to stay updated on the latest developments in law.
For Bhupendra, adaptability means embracing change and being proactive in anticipating the needs of his clients or organization. It’s about looking for innovative, practical solutions that not only meet legal requirements but also align with the broader objectives of the business or client. Ultimately, staying ahead in this field is about constantly evolving, both professionally and strategically.
His Team’s Leader
Bhupendra believes that leadership is a journey shaped by the support of a team, as there is no leader without one. His approach is grounded in trust, empowerment, and confidence in his team, which, in turn, provides him with valuable insights and helps him grow as a leader.
He leads by example, fostering an environment of open communication and mutual respect. Encouraging his team to work independently, voice their opinions, and take ownership of their responsibilities, he helps build their confidence while promoting fresh and innovative ideas.
As a leader and mentor, Bhupendra recognizes the unique skills of each team member and strategically aligns their expertise with the organization’s goals. By assigning responsibilities that leverage their strengths, he ensures optimal outcomes while supporting individual career growth. His leadership style focuses on empowerment, collaboration, and creating a motivated, high-performing team committed to shared success.
Advancing Innovations
Bhupendra believes that the essence of the legal industry lies in innovation and advancement. As an In-House Counsel, he constantly strives to balance legal limitations within the frameworks that guide his work. Understanding both the legal landscape and the organization’s needs, he provides practical, forward-thinking solutions while ensuring compliance.
He focuses on being innovative, proactive, and cautious, anticipating potential legal challenges while aligning with the organization’s objectives. With modern legal technology and tools, he explores creative solutions to streamline processes, mitigate risks, and enhance compliance. His adaptable and solution-oriented approach ensures that legal strategies effectively support business growth within the legal framework.
According to Bhupendra, sustainability and environmental responsibility are essential in the legal profession, especially within the real estate industry. Balancing available resources with compliance with all applicable laws is key. In today’s real estate landscape, the government has introduced various schemes and eco-friendly construction options that promote both sustainability and cost-effectiveness. It is crucial to ensure compliance with these regulations while optimizing resource utilization so that all business operations align with sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the industry.
The Success Testaments
When mentioned that he has achieved remarkable success, Bhupendra says, ‘Thanks for the kind words,’ in gratitude. He embraces the added responsibility that comes with success, striving to fulfil his duties with diligence and expertise. As a Legal Head, one of his most challenging cases involved managing the insolvency of the holding company—a complex, high-stakes matter that shaped the future of the entire group.
A pivotal moment came in June 2022, when the Hon’ble NCLAT allowed project-wise insolvency, directing the constitution of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) for a single project instead of the entire company. This landmark ruling became a reference point for real estate firms seeking similar relief, showcasing Bhupendra’s legal acumen and industry foresight.
Beyond insolvency matters, he introduced structured procedures to streamline consumer complaints, RERA issues, and criminal cases across courts and tribunals. Under his leadership, approximately 5,000 cases have been effectively managed, continuously improving legal strategies and resource management.
In an arbitration dispute, he played a key role in preventing a construction stay under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Despite significant pressure, his legal strategy led the Hon’ble High Court to refer the matter to the Arbitration Tribunal instead of halting construction, safeguarding the project’s progress.
These cases highlight Bhupendra’s resilience, innovative legal strategies, and ability to set industry precedents. His expertise in navigating high-pressure situations reinforces his reputation as a legal leader shaping the future of real estate law.
Embracing the Digital Times
Bhupendra is also aware that technology has significantly streamlined their profession. In the past, they would spend hours in libraries reviewing judgments and extracting relevant observations. Now, online portals make it easy to search for judgments, legal observations, and provisions using keywords. Additionally, various tools are available to manage cases and records online, providing easy access from anywhere at any time. These advancements have greatly improved their efficiency, allowing them to handle a larger volume of cases and issues in a time-bound manner. Technology has truly been a game-changer in optimizing their legal services.
Furthermore, the legal landscape is rapidly evolving with digital and virtual advancements, and Bhupendra makes it a priority to stay updated and adaptable to these developments. By leveraging technology, he and his company enhance their services at every level. Virtual hearings, digital records and pleadings, online case management tools, and judgment databases have significantly simplified their processes. These innovations enable them to provide faster and more efficient services, with the added benefit of appearing virtually before courts and attending conferences through video calls. This not only saves time but also improves accessibility and flexibility for all involved.
The Crucial Role of In-House Counsels
Bhupendra opines that the role of In-house Counsel and General Counsel is crucial for any business or company. In today’s complex business environment, in-house legal professionals play a pivotal role in strategizing, identifying legal risks in advance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising on business decisions within the legal framework. Legal challenges, such as litigations and regulatory hurdles, can significantly impact a company’s profitability and reputation, making the role of General Counsel even more essential.
As the legal head, the General Counsel takes on a leadership role, overseeing a wide range of legal issues, including litigation, contracts, compliance, and governance. However, they face numerous challenges, both within the organization and with external counterparts.
One of the key challenges is balancing business needs with legal limitations. In-house counsel must provide advice that aligns with the legal framework while helping the company achieve its business goals. Legal departments are often seen as cost centres and operate with limited resources compared to large law firms. As a result, in-house teams must prioritize tasks and provide services efficiently, often within tight timelines.
Another challenge is managing relationships with external counsel and ensuring cost-effective legal services. Additionally, staying updated with recent judgments, legal developments, and court observations can be difficult. To overcome this, in-house counsels should remain open to discussions, attend seminars and webinars, and stay informed through journals and online portals.
In Bhupendra’s view, in-house Counsel and General Counsel have a critical role to play in complex business operations. They are best positioned to identify risks and ensure regulatory compliance in advance. It’s high time business houses recognize the legal department as an investment rather than a cost centre, as their strategic contribution is essential to the long-term success and stability of the organization.
An Adept Advice
Bhupendra feels it is encouraging to see the younger generation attracted to the legal profession, with many first-generation lawyers entering the field. His advice to them is to be patient and persistent, as the legal profession is demanding, and success does not come overnight. Stay focused and consistent, and always maintain honesty in your work.
Building a strong network and honing practical skills are crucial. Identify your area of expertise and focus on it for the best results. This will help you stand out and build a successful career.
The legal profession knows no boundaries—it offers continuous learning and countless opportunities. Stay dedicated, be consistent, maintain passion, curiosity, and resilience, and always keep a positive approach. These are the key ingredients for long-term success in the legal field.
Envisioning A Positive Future Impact
Bhupendra’s vision for the future is to grow both professionally and personally while making a meaningful impact in the legal profession. He is committed to continuously learning and improving his skills, particularly in areas like Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Arbitration, Technology, and Corporate Disputes, to stay aligned with industry trends and advancements.
As an In-house Counsel, his focus will remain on ensuring professional ethics, compliance, and the development of strategies that support the organization’s business goals, profitability, and reputation within the legal framework. He is also dedicated to contributing to the growth of the organization and nurturing future leaders who will elevate the profession to new heights.
Ultimately, Bhupendra’s goal is to remain a trusted advisor, providing strategic legal counsel that drives growth while upholding integrity, ethics, and innovation. He will continue to seek out new ideas and creative strategies to stay ahead of the curve and contribute positively to the legal profession.
