Padmini Paonam serves as the Global IP Counsel for a prominent UAE-based conglomerate that owns prestigious luxury fashion and home brands, including Gianfranco Ferré, Louis Féraud, and Alessandro Dell’Acqua.

In her current role, she oversees a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including developing and executing IP strategies, managing the company’s IP portfolio, protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, and handling both contentious and non-contentious matters. She also supervises external counsel across multiple jurisdictions and reviews software and IT service agreements.

Before joining the conglomerate, Padmini practiced intellectual property law in India, where she represented a diverse client base, including several Forbes Global 500 companies. Her expertise encompassed trademark and copyright matters, trademark licensing, and prosecution.