The Perfectionist With Needed Legal and Compliance Support to Business
Praveen Kumar
Group Head- Legal
Lemon Tree Hotels
I ndia’s hospitality industry is set to reach USD 125 billion by 2027, and the real estate sector—already contributing 6–7% to the country’s GDP—is expected to become a USD 1 trillion market by 2030. These fast-growing yet highly regulated landscapes demand seasoned in-house legal counsel to guide businesses through a maze of compliance requirements, data privacy laws, and complex commercial agreements. Leading this dual challenge with unwavering dedication is Praveen Kumar, Group Head – Legal at Lemon Tree Hotels, whose 21-year career covers real estate (Alpha Corp, Adani Realty, Ireo/ Trident Realty), telecom infrastructure (Indus Towers), FMCG, pharma, and cosmetics. From resolving intricate land disputes to structuring multi-million-dollar joint ventures and implementing data privacy frameworks, Praveen has consistently shown a knack for building robust compliance ecosystems that anticipate risk while positioning organisations for sustained growth. Now at Lemon Tree Hotels, Praveen is taking legal leadership to the next level by aligning legal strategies with core business goals and ensuring the group’s pan-India hospitality operations remain future-ready in an evercompetitive market. In an exclusive conversation with TradeFlock, he shares insights on tackling the industry’s regulatory challenges, maximising corporate governance, and his vision for reshaping the role of legal teams in corporate India.
What have your diverse industry experiences taught you as an inhouse counsel?
Every industry tells a story, and I’ve been fortunate to work in many. In real estate, I mastered land due diligence for land acquisition, high stack property disputes and commercial arbitrations and large-scale negotiations, besides dealing with diverse development laws, NCLT, RERA, Consumer disputes, Labor issues, and more. Telecom exposed me to agile compliance frameworks amid fast-changing tech regulations. Pharma and FMCG deepened my focus on safeguarding IP— trademarks, design, patents—and ensuring strict regulatory compliance regime for product labels and packaging compliances, quality and consumer protection standards. Now, in hospitality at Lemon Tree Hotels, I navigate licensing for new properties including managed, franchised, and branded residence models, providing substantive legal advice in the negotiation and drafting and strengthening of the Company’s key contracts, as well as hotel operations, owner relations, real estate and Hotel Industry related statutory/regulatory compliances, data privacy, and brand reputation management. These experiences have shaped my preventive approach: anticipating risks early and crafting strategies that align with business goals, ensuring legal solutions that both protect and drive growth.
Legal counsel isn’t just about managing disputes; it’s about creating stability so that ambition can flourish
Data privacy is critical in hospitality. What steps have you taken to protect guest information?
Data privacy is non-negotiable, especially in hospitality, where we handle sensitive guest information—ID proofs, payment details, and travel records. At Lemon Tree Hotels, we’ve adopted a ‘privacy-by-default’ approach, integrating the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 into our SOPs for guest-facing and back-office systems. This includes strong access controls, encryption standards, and regular data audits to spot vulnerabilities early. We also prioritise training for frontline and IT teams to build a culture of data security. These initiatives aren’t just about compliance—they’re the foundation of guest trust and a key pillar of our brand reputation.
When drafting key contracts, what’s your focus for ensuring successful outcomes?
A contract is more than paper; it’s the foundation of trust and collaboration. I begin by aligning the agreement with the business objectives, pinpointing areas like IP ownership, performance metrics, and termination terms that could pose challenges. Negotiation, for me, is about creating win-win outcomes—strong contracts help both parties succeed. I pay special attention to service-level expectations in hospitality, like vendor response times and tech downtime guarantees. If a contract safeguards the business while driving mutual growth, I know I’ve done my job right.
Managing hospitality’s regulatory landscape is complex. How do you stay on top of it?
Navigating the regulatory maze in hospitality is like balancing on a tightrope—you need focus, agility, and teamwork. At Lemon Tree Hotels, we tackle everything from FSSAI norms for F&B to state-specific fire safety, occupancy licenses, and environmental clearances. As we expand into new states or forge brand partnerships, the complexity only grows. I believe ‘Compliance is not a burden but a blueprint for seamless operations.’ I rely on tailored checklists, a real-time compliance matrix, and periodic audits to stay ahead. Most importantly, by training our teams to understand the ‘why’ behind these laws, compliance becomes a shared mindset, not just a legal checkbox.
As Group Head - Legal, how do you contribute to business strategy beyond daily operations?
My role extends far beyond being a legal gatekeeper; I see myself as a strategic ally to the Board and C-suite. Whether it’s evaluating mergers, joint ventures, or new property acquisitions, I align legal insights with business ambitions. For instance, when considering expansions into Tier-2 or Tier-3 cities, I proactively assess the regulatory landscape, licensing requirements, and land acquisition challenges. By addressing these complexities upfront, I enable the leadership to make informed decisions early, accelerating project timelines and maximising ROI. In essence, I bridge legal foresight with business growth.
What advice would you give to legal professionals aiming for inhouse roles in regulated sectors?
Think like a lawyer, but act like a business
partner. First, gain holistic exposure—contracts,
compliance, M&A, and data privacy all matter.
Second, develop business acumen—understand
how your industry makes money to align legal
solutions with business goals.
Most importantly, be proactive. The best inhouse counsels don’t wait for fires; they spot
sparks before they burn. Anticipation, not
reaction, is the key to staying ahead.
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