Hon’ble Justice Yashwant Varma is a Judge at the Delhi High Court. Born on 6 January 1969 in Allahabad, he pursued a B.Com (Honours) degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and earned his LLB degree from Rewa University, Madhya Pradesh. He was enrolled as an Advocate on 8 August 1992 and practiced at the Allahabad High Court, handling a wide range of matters, including constitutional, labour, industrial, corporate, taxation, and allied laws.
Justice Varma served as the Special Counsel for the Allahabad High Court from 2006 until his elevation and held the position of Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 until August 2013. In recognition of his legal acumen, he was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Court in 2013.
He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on 13 October 2014 and took oath as a Permanent Judge on 1 February 2016. On 11 October 2021, he was appointed as a Judge of the Delhi High Court.
Pravin Anand is the Managing Partner and Head of Litigation at Anand and Anand. He has an experience of appearing in over 2500 cases and successfully resolving many hundreds in over 43 years of his practice as an IP lawyer. Leading from the front, he has strengthened India’s IP jurisprudence with practice encompassing all facets of IP. He had broken new grounds in Indian IP jurisprudence with India’s first Anti-suit injunction (Inter Digital v Xiaomi).
Recognised as India’s IP trailblazer and a “living legend” by leading publications, his distinguished career has included India’s first Anton Piller order (HMV Gramophone Case); India’s first Mareva injunction order (Philips Case); India’s first Norwich Pharmacal order (Hollywood Cigarettes Case); Pioneer Overseas Corporation Case paving the way for DNA testing for disputed IPR in plant variety and many more.
Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar is a European and German Patent and Trademark Attorney and a partner at Boehmert & Boehmert, with his office based in Munich. He holds a PhD in physics and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Bremen, a lecturer at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, and at the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center. Additionally, he serves as a visiting professor and lecturer at various universities across Asia and the U.S.
He is a former President of LES International (LESI) and LES Germany, and was awarded the Gold Medal of LESI in 2005. He co-edits “Trade Secrets Throughout the World” with Melanie Müller. Since 2006, he has been a member of the WIPO list of mediators and arbitrators. In recent years, he has taken on roles such as a member of the Advisory Board of the Saudi Authority of Intellectual Property and Honorary Advisor of LES Korea. He also serves on the Intellectual Property Committee of CCPIT Mediation Center in Beijing.
Hari Subramaniam is the Founding and Managing Partner at Subramaniam & Associates, a leading IP boutique firm founded in 1998. He has been in practice for the last 41 years, specialising in all aspects of intellectual property laws. He is the President of The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), the biggest IP organization of Asia and Oceania. In the course of his career, he has filed, prosecuted, defended, opposed and/or enforced - directly or in a supervisory capacity - over 45,000 patent matters in India and abroad, relating to all areas of technology. He has played a key role in bringing the “product patent” regime into India and evolution of Patent Law in India. He has advised the Governments of India, Mauritius, Bangladesh, China and Nepal on their IP laws. He has been called upon several times as an expert witness before the Joint Parliamentary Committee for the amendment of IP laws in India and is the only non-judicial member of a committee appointed by the Delhi High Court to formulate and oversee rules relating litigation of IP cases before the Courts.
Hemant Singh is the Founder and Managing Partner of Inttl Advocare. Admitted to the Bar in 1984 and a registered patent agent, Hemant has overseen over 3,500 IP litigations across India, addressing issues such as claim construction, inventive step, trademark infringement, and parallel imports. His expertise spans patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, trade secrets, and more. Representing Fortune 100 and 500 companies, he serves diverse industries including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, fashion, and technology. His contributions to IP jurisprudence are significant, including active participation in amicus briefs and leadership roles in international IP associations. Notably, he represented INTA in its inaugural amicus brief before the Supreme Court of India on parallel import matters, underscoring his influential role in shaping global IP law. He currently serves as the President of the AIPPI India Group and is a former board of directors of the International Trademark Association (INTA).
He is widely recognized for his achievements in Intellectual Property law and has been honored as a Leading Lawyer Legend by Legal Era.
M Farrukh Irfan Khan is the Chairman and Managing Partner of United Trademark & Patent Services, a leading law firm specializing in intellectual property (IP) law, serving clients across South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. With over 25 years of experience, he is a seasoned practitioner in the fields of IP, franchising, licensing, technology transfer, and corporate and commercial law.
He has extensive expertise in anti-counterfeiting efforts and the enforcement of IP rights, both in courts and before Customs authorities. In 2007, he was appointed to the International Trademark Association’s International Panel of Neutrals, where he provides arbitration services for global IP disputes. He is also an active member of several prestigious international legal associations, including the International Bar Association and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.
Manisha Singh is the Founder and Managing Partner of LexOrbis, where she oversees and supervises all practice groups within the firm. Beginning her career during a period of significant transformation in Indian IP laws, following India’s obligations under the TRIPS agreement, Manisha played a pivotal role in advising Indian policymakers and lawmakers on aligning national IP systems with global standards in administration and enforcement.
Known for her deep expertise in the prosecution and enforcement of all forms of intellectual property rights, she has extensive experience in strategizing and managing global patents, trademarks, and design portfolios for both large international and domestic companies. Her focus on leveraging the latest technological tools has been instrumental in developing efficient IP service delivery models, providing best-in-class services to clients.
She is also renowned for her sharp litigation and negotiation skills, handling both IP and non-IP disputes. She has been actively involved in a wide range of IP litigations, with a particular focus on patent cases in pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and mechanics. Her strategic approach has led to the successful and timely resolution of numerous trademarks, copyright, design infringement, and passing-off cases.
A member of several prestigious associations, including INTA, APAA, AIPLA, AIPPI, LES, and FICPI, she is actively involved in committee work and regularly contributes articles and commentaries to leading IP publications.
Ahmad Saleh is Partner and Head of Innovation, Patents & Industrial Property at Al Tamimi & Company, with over 15 years of experience in intellectual property, patents, innovation, and commercial law. A Canadian attorney and engineer, he is the founder and lead of Al Tamimi’s Innovation & Patents practice, which is built on a pioneering 3IP service model that integrates legal, business, and technical consultancy throughout the innovation lifecycle.
His practice spans a wide range of high-tech sectors, including ICT, healthcare, aerospace, energy, AI, and blockchain, advising clients from individual inventors to multinational corporations. He is recognized for his strategic thinking and leadership in innovation. He regularly advises governmental entities, research institutions, and private sector clients on high-level innovation strategies, legislative and regulatory matters, and IP protection. He sits on various advisory panels, including the Global Advisory Panel of the UAEU Science & Innovation Park and the Innovation Advisory Board of the Dubai Healthcare Authority. He is also a mentor to startups and a regular speaker at innovation events. His expertise is sought after in patent protection strategies, technology transfer, and dispute resolution across MENA, the US, Europe, and beyond.
Vikrant Rana is the Managing Partner of S.S. Rana & Co., a premier intellectual property and corporate law firm in India. He has been consistently recognized as a Leading Lawyer by reputed national and International journals including the World Trademark Review, Indian Business Law Journal, Forbes, Chamber & Partners etc. For more than 28 years, Vikrant has been providing practical legal advice to many Fortune 500 companies as well as grassroots innovators and Start-Ups, on securing, protecting and enforcing their IP assets in India and world over.
Having majored in Economics, Vikrant has an in depth understanding of micro and macro factors influencing businesses. With this business understanding, for over a decade, Vikrant has been providing practical legal advice and is known for his client centric and proactive approach. He is also listed as an IP Facilitator with the Government of India’s Start-ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme launched in 2016 recognized by the Government of India. At home, Vikrant is actively involved in sensitizing awareness on IPR and is associated with several government and nongovernment organizations, universities and institutions.
Vikrant is also an avid sportsman and captained his school volleyball team. He is also a Certified Yoga teacher and has provided training to many yoga enthusiasts at Shri Aurobindo Ashram, Aurobindo Society, Delhi.
CJ Rosenbaum is the Founder and Partner at Rosenbaum & Segall, where he leads the firm's efforts in protecting private label sellers on Amazon from hijackers and intellectual property infringements. With over 25 years of experience in law, he has become a recognized expert in intellectual property law, particularly in the e-commerce sector. He specializes in using innovative legal tools, such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, and licenses, to safeguard brands and products.
Before focusing on Amazon sellers, he was a trial lawyer with extensive experience in jury trials, which helped hone his skills in litigation and persuasion. This background has been instrumental in his success in advocating for entrepreneurs and businesses in the e-commerce space. He has authored six books and hundreds of articles and videos on selling products on Amazon, further solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in the field.
He is also a frequent speaker at Amazon-related events worldwide, where he shares his knowledge on intellectual property protection and business strategies for online sellers. Leading a team of over 25 professionals in the U.S. and China, he is committed to helping private label sellers maintain and grow their businesses by protecting their intellectual property.
Dr. Orlando Lopez is Partner at CMLaw, where he focuses on helping clients, ranging from individual inventors to multinational corporations and universities, identify, protect, and build their intellectual property portfolios. He has extensive experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications across diverse technology fields, including nanotechnology, optics, quantum optics, software, business methods, telecommunications, wireless applications, electronic imaging, and mechanical and physical devices.
Before entering the legal field, he has spent over 25 years in high technology companies such as Polaroid, Data General, Control Data, and Science Applications. His roles included technical manager, program manager, engineer, and researcher. This technical experience provided him with valuable insights into product design, complex research, and interdisciplinary team management, spanning software, IC design, optics, mechanics, and electronics. He also conducted research in areas such as magnetic and optical recording, electromagnetic effects, and imaging science.
Bertram Huber, a Principal of IP*SEVA, is an international intellectual property expert based in Backnang, Germany. He is Rechtsanwalt (Attorney-at-law) under German law. He holds a Doctor degree in Law from the University of Tuebingen. 2010-2020 he was a visiting lecturer of the Law Faculty of University of Tuebingen on Laws of IPRs, International IP Strategy and Management and Licensing Law. As former Senior Vice President of Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, and Head of Corporate Intellectual Property he was responsible 2000-2009 for the global intellectual property activities, in particular the strategic development and management of the patent portfolio and licensing activities of the Bosch Group. Before joining Bosch in 1995, Dr. Huber headed the Legal and Patents Department of the telecommunications company ANT Nachrichtentechnik GmbH since 1983. He began his professional career in 1978 at AEG-Telefunken AG.
In many parts of the world Dr. Huber is a frequent lecturer in a wide range of IP related topics. Publications include works on know-how protection, climate change and the patent system, and technology transfer to China.
Over many years, Dr. Huber participated in the elaboration of IPR/patent policies in the technical standardization context, especially at ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute).
Robert C. Barchiesi is the President of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), a prominent trade association representing diverse industries, including renowned brands like Apple, Disney, Exxon, Johnson & Johnson, Louis Vuitton, Pfizer, Ford and Universal Music. With a strong focus on combating counterfeit goods that pose risks to consumers, jobs, and innovation, the IACC has been at the forefront of protecting global consumers from the harm caused by counterfeit products.
With a distinguished background in law enforcement, he has held various leadership roles, including Special Agent-in-Charge at the U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Attorney General, Detective Sergeant with the New York City Police Department, and Chief of Police in Crystal River, Florida. He also served as Director of Investigations for the Recording Industry Association of America and began his career with the U.S. Customs Service.
As President of the IACC, he has fostered cross-industry collaborations, leading to partnerships with e-commerce giants such as Alibaba, Amazon, Google, Mastercard, and Visa to combat counterfeit products in online marketplaces. He is a highly regarded keynote speaker at anti-counterfeiting conferences worldwide, contributing his expertise to the field.
Shane O'Neill is the Assistant General Counsel at Norsk Titanium, where he has been providing commercially-focused, risk-based legal advice since 2018. His role involves advising on various aspects of the company’s operations, including securing funding from investors, supporting the contracts team with agreements with major aerospace customers, managing disputes and litigation, and overseeing HR/employment matters. He also handles the company's IP portfolio, software and IT services arrangements, and data protection matters. He works closely with external counsel across different jurisdictions to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
He began his legal career in 2008 with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as a Trainee Solicitor, later becoming an Associate. He then held legal advisory roles at Emirates and Hasbro before moving to Virgin Media, where he worked as Senior Legal Counsel. From 2016 to 2018, he served as a Senior Legal Advisor at Fujitsu in the UK and Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UCL, a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from The University of Law, a Post Graduate Diploma in Competition Law from King’s College London, and an LPC from The University of Law.
Rory J. Radding is Partner at Maschoff Brennan LLP, bringing over 45 years of experience as an IP strategist and first-chair trial lawyer. He has litigated a wide range of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants across various industries, including LED lighting, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, avionics, and consumer products. As a registered patent attorney, he has also prosecuted patents in chemical, biotech, and computer-related fields.
He has served as lead trial counsel in several federal trial courts across the U.S. and has represented clients before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for multiple circuits, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. He also has extensive experience representing clients before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in sectors like chemical catalysis, video games, and electric switches.
In addition to his litigation expertise, he advises clients from large corporations to startups—on global intellectual property strategies, including prosecution, licensing, and enforcement. He also provides guidance on cross-border transactional matters, such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and technology transfer. Prior to his legal career, he worked as a pharmaceutical chemist at Wellcome Research Laboratory and as an environmental chemist at Union Carbide Corporation.
Anand Sharma currently serves as Chair of Finnegan, one of the largest IP law firms in the world. Anand works in all areas of patent law, from litigation in U.S. district courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission to strategic client counseling at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Anand is a first-chair litigator, with experience in jury and bench trials. He has examined dozens of witnesses at trial, argued key motions, and successfully led clients through complex settlement negotiations and numerous mediations. A former NASA software engineer, he comfortably handles complex technologies, ranging from data storage and software solutions to industrial manufacturing and consumer electronics. Anand has held several leadership and management roles at the firm, including firmwide Managing Partner, Mechanical Practice Group Lead, and as Finnegan's first chair of its Diversity Committee over fifteen years ago.
Adriana Butu is the Manager - Intellectual Property Office at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), a government owned organization. She established the intellectual property function at DEWA back in 2017 and since then she is driving the IP Strategy of the organization, ensuring that all its assets are protected and enforced.
Prior to her current position, she headed the Trademark Department (MENA region) of Dennemeyer & Associates, a top tier IP law firm, based in Luxembourg, with offices in more than 20 jurisdictions worldwide, playing a key role in opening the Dubai office of the law firm.
Before moving to Dubai, she held different positions at Dennemeyer & Associates Brasov Office and owned a private IP law firm in Romania.
Her main field of specialization is intellectual property law covering advisory, prosecution, enforcement and litigation. She holds a master degree in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law from Universidad de La Rioja in Spain and during the past 13+ years she successfully combined her legal expertise with her leadership skills in different organizations across multiple jurisdictions.
Ahmad Saleh is Partner and Head of Innovation, Patents & Industrial Property at Al Tamimi & Company, with over 15 years of experience in intellectual property, patents, innovation, and commercial law. A Canadian attorney and engineer, he is the founder and lead of Al Tamimi’s Innovation & Patents practice, which is built on a pioneering 3IP service model that integrates legal, business, and technical consultancy throughout the innovation lifecycle.
His practice spans a wide range of high-tech sectors, including ICT, healthcare, aerospace, energy, AI, and blockchain, advising clients from individual inventors to multinational corporations. He is recognized for his strategic thinking and leadership in innovation. He regularly advises governmental entities, research institutions, and private sector clients on high-level innovation strategies, legislative and regulatory matters, and IP protection. He sits on various advisory panels, including the Global Advisory Panel of the UAEU Science & Innovation Park and the Innovation Advisory Board of the Dubai Healthcare Authority. He is also a mentor to startups and a regular speaker at innovation events. His expertise is sought after in patent protection strategies, technology transfer, and dispute resolution across MENA, the US, Europe, and beyond.
Beatriz Ruiz Beato is Head of Global Data Privacy at NEC Corporation, she is a Spanish-qualified lawyer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in technology and telecom companies. She focuses on industry-specific legal matters, including data protection, data security, policies, and commercial law. Beatriz is an expert in data protection, with a comprehensive understanding of global data protection laws and privacy standards, holding certifications in CIPP/E and CIPM from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). She has a proven track record of designing and implementing global data protection strategies, balancing legal risks with business needs. Beatriz has developed and executed a global compliance program across more than 40 countries, advising businesses on data protection compliance for all products and services.
Her expertise extends to conducting enterprise risk management assessments, working with cross functional teams to identify high-risk areas, and creating remediation plans to reduce exposure. Beatriz also monitors the evolving landscape of data protection laws, particularly within the NEC Group, to assess their impact on company practices and procedures. She collaborates closely with other entities within the group to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
Bijan Brahmbhatt is the Director of Legal, Compliance & Business Development at Precision Drilling, based in Dubai, UAE. With over 13 years of experience, he is a seasoned corporate and commercial lawyer known for providing fit-for-purpose legal advice across culturally diverse geographies. He has a proven track record in multinational execution and working cross-functionally within multidisciplinary teams.
In his current role, he handles the Legal function for the region, including contracts, dispute resolution, compliance, and corporate governance. He excels in commercial strategy and business development, leveraging his strong legal competencies to add value to the organization. He has successfully managed strategic acquisitions, developed innovative governance structures, and led post-merger integration policies.
His expertise extends to conducting negotiations, executing corporate advisory, legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and transactional functions. He is also adept at crisis management, having navigated business retention, contract renegotiations, and employment restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic. He manages external stakeholders, prepares legal drafts, and handles various international statutory laws for legal proceedings.
His experience includes working with India’s leading corporate law firm, the world’s largest oilfield services company, and a NYSE-listed Canadian-American public company operating in the Middle East region.
Kevin Fournier, Director at Intellectual Property Legal Services Limited, is an experienced intellectual property lawyer and patent attorney with dual qualifications in two U.S. jurisdictions and authorization to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and the European Patent Office. With a robust technical foundation in electrical engineering and over 25 years in IBM's intellectual property legal department, he specializes in computer-based technologies, including blockchain, AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, IT networking, and hardware infrastructure. He provides tailored IP services to small inventors, startups, and SMEs, helping them assess patentability, file cost-effective applications, and prepare for acquisitions or investments through IP audits. He also handles transactional matters, including patent and know-how licensing, IT service agreements, strategic partnerships, and M&A due diligence. His expertise extends to managing IP ownership, license, warranty, and indemnity clauses, particularly in projects involving new IP creation. With extensive experience in patent assertion work, he has worked on both sides of infringement disputes, handling evidence, prior art analysis, damages estimation, and licensing negotiations. He also conducts freedom-to-operate studies, legal clearance for product launches, and innovation landscaping.
Megan Carpenter is the dean and professor of law at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. A transformational leader, she has driven significant growth at UNH Franklin Pierce, increasing enrollment by over 230%, boosting donations by 330%, and expanding the diversity of the student body more than five-fold.
Under her leadership, the school launched the Hybrid JD in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law, a pioneering program that is the first hybrid program for a specialized area of law in the U.S. This program, designed for working professionals in IP-intensive industries, has experienced strong growth since its inception in 2019.
A global strategist, she has built partnerships and programs across six continents, providing students with numerous opportunities for practical legal experience. With over 20 years of expertise in Intellectual Property and technology, she is a sought-after speaker and writer on topics related to IP, technology, and legal education. She has authored the book Evolving Economies: The Role of Law in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and published widely in prestigious journals and popular media outlets.
She is also known for her community-minded approach, having organized legal support for underserved communities across multiple states to foster economic development. Before academia, she practiced law at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (now K&L Gates) and at Carpenter & Bruning, a boutique IP and entertainment law firm.
Muna Farid is the Managing Director and Head of Legal at Hatch DWC-LLC, with extensive experience as a senior executive across various industries, including financial services, FMCG, and healthcare. Having worked in multinational companies across diverse geographies, she thrives in complex environments and excels at finding innovative solutions to challenging problems. she is adept at collaborating with large enterprises, governments, and start-ups, having led and participated in multidisciplinary teams on regional and international projects.
Her expertise spans end-to-end problem-solving, from creating new free zones to driving product development and launching digital transformations at scale, including public-private partnerships (PPP), retail, e-commerce, human resources, manufacturing, and supply chain. Muna has advised on several high-profile transactions, including joint ventures and multi-party partnerships across EMEA, Asia, and the US. She is highly skilled in corporate governance, risk management, due diligence, and capital markets.
Noor Maki is the Group General Counsel at Rental Solutions and Services, a leading provider of power and cooling solutions for various industries. With over 15 years of legal experience, she leads the global legal function, overseeing all legal matters, contracts, compliance, and risk management for the company. Her skills include legal document preparation, legal issue resolution, and legal writing.
Her core competencies are strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration are reflected in her ability to address complex challenges effectively. Motivated by the mission of delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, she values diversity, integrity, and excellence in all her endeavors.
Bringing a unique and holistic perspective to the legal field, she combines professional expertise with a passion for promoting well-being. Her commitment to learning and growth enables her to thrive in diverse environments while contributing meaningfully to her clients, customers, and communities.
Richard Milchior is Of Counsel at Herald Avocats, where he works in the IP and competition distribution department. He specializes in Intellectual Property law, European Union law, Competition law, and Health law.
Saloni Tuteja is the Head of Legal and Compliance for the Middle East region at Servier, a French healthcare company. A seasoned healthcare lawyer, she leads the legal and compliance functions for the company in the region. With 17 years of experience, she has previously worked as a regional legal and compliance counsel for an American pharmaceutical MNC and as Legal Director at Zimmer Biomet, where she helped establish the legal and compliance program for South Asia.
She has substantial experience in both the Middle East and APAC regions. She began her career in private practice, representing a variety of industries on matters related to commercial law, competition, anti-corruption, and dispute resolution.
She holds a master's degree from UC Berkeley, USA, and is certified in Asia Pacific Healthcare Compliance from Seton Hall University School of Law. She is currently pursuing a master's in anticorruption and diplomacy, jointly offered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Anti-Corruption Academy. Saloni is also a published author in her field.
Shane O'Neill is the Assistant General Counsel at Norsk Titanium, where he has been providing commercially-focused, risk-based legal advice since 2018. His role involves advising on various aspects of the company’s operations, including securing funding from investors, supporting the contracts team with agreements with major aerospace customers, managing disputes and litigation, and overseeing HR/employment matters. He also handles the company's IP portfolio, software and IT services arrangements, and data protection matters. He works closely with external counsel across different jurisdictions to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
He began his legal career in 2008 with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as a Trainee Solicitor, later becoming an Associate. He then held legal advisory roles at Emirates and Hasbro before moving to Virgin Media, where he worked as Senior Legal Counsel. From 2016 to 2018, he served as a Senior Legal Advisor at Fujitsu in the UK and Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from UCL, a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from The University of Law, a Post Graduate Diploma in Competition Law from King’s College London, and an LPC from The University of Law.
Yosr Hamza is the Head of Legal and Director of Legal and Compliance at Gartner, overseeing the Middle East region. A bilingual, multi-award-winning tech legal director, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the LAW, the Advisory Board for the Juris Centre of Excellence for Legal Education and Training at MDX-UAE Campus Law School, the Board of the ACC MENA Chapter, and the leadership teams of the New to In-House Network, International Legal Affairs Network, and Women in the House Network. She is a well-known champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in their careers through mentorship, sponsorship, and authentic storytelling. In addition to her professional achievements, she is a Founding Member of the Yusr App.
Justice A K Sikri is a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. He has an excellent academic record. Justice Sikri conducted cases of all types with specialization in Arbitration and Commercial matters, Constitutional cases and Labour – Service Matters. He was Counsel for numerous Public Sector Undertakings, Banks & Financial Institutions, Educational Institutions, and various Private Sector Corporations. Justice Sikri was also part-time lecturer in Campus Law Centre, Delhi University (1984-89); Vice-President, Delhi High Court Bar Association in 1994-95; Member of the Governing Body of various colleges from time to time; Designated as Senior Advocate by Delhi High Court on September 30, 1997; and Appointed as Judge of Delhi High Court on July 7, 1999. As a Judge, Justice Sikri has dealt with all kinds of jurisdictions. He has sat on the Commercial Bench, IPR Bench, and Insolvency Bench for a number of years and gave many landmark judgments.
Justice Sikri was chosen as one of the 50 most influential persons in Intellectual Property in the world by a leading prestigious international organization for the year 2007 in recognition to his contribution to the growth of Intellectual Property Laws through his judgments.
Justice Sikri became the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on October 10, 2011 and was elevated as the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 23, 2012. Justice Sikri was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on April 12, 2013.
Senior Consultant (IPR Law), Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
Biju K. Nair is the Founding Partner of Legalitech, a technology law-focused law firm that specializes in advising companies and startups across the globe. With a strong background in technology law, Biju has earned a reputation for his expertise in Open Source, Privacy and Data Protection, Corporate Litigation, Arbitration, Competition Law, and Defensive Patent Strategy.
Legalitech has provided comprehensive legal advisory services on Open-Source issues, assisting both projects and companies worldwide. The firm has been actively involved in enforcing Open-Source licenses against various entities in India and has conducted Open-Source compliance training for numerous organizations.
Biju also represents prominent global patent non-aggression communities such as Open Invention Network and License on Transfer Network. Additionally, he serves as a mentor at German Accelerator, advising innovative startups on navigating the complex legal landscape.
Before founding Legalitech, Biju was a senior associate at prestigious law firms like Luthra & Luthra Law Offices and Amarchand Mangaldas, where he honed his expertise in technology law and built a strong foundation in corporate and litigation matters.
Chinmoy Roy is the Senior Legal Officer at Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Department of Space, Government of India. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing a broad spectrum of legal matters, including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), commercial laws, and space laws, ensuring that Antrix Corporation operates smoothly in these highly specialized areas.
He is also deeply involved in trans-national litigation, currently leading legal proceedings across more than eight countries. These proceedings relate to a multi-billion-dollar arbitration award stemming from one of the largest disputes ever encountered in the space industry.
In addition to his professional role, he is actively engaged in academic research, particularly in the evolving landscape of IPR in outer space. His research, including on the cybersecurity of satellites, has been widely recognized and presented at prominent international space law conferences, such as the International Astronautical Congress.
Dr. S.K. Murthy is the Patent Counsel at Intel India, where his primary focus includes patent preparation and prosecution, competitive patent analysis, providing opinions on patentability, and managing various patent-related issues. With a strong engineering and legal background, he has over 20 years of experience, including 11 years specializing in patent law.
In his current role, he is responsible for developing strategies to promote innovation and sustain an IP culture within Intel. He is also actively involved in patent management practices.
He has contributed significantly to IP policy discussions, having led submissions for the draft Patent Manual, draft National Competition Policy, and draft Guidelines on Computer-Related Inventions (CRIs). He was also a key player in the development of the National IPR Policy.
As a co-founder of the In-House IP Professionals (I-HIPP) Forum, he has created a platform for over 30 Indian and multinational companies to exchange ideas and best practices. The forum has since become a think tank for IP policy advocacy in India.
Faiz Rahman is the Vice President & IP Head at Infosys, specializing in intellectual property (IP) issues related to the software product and services business. With extensive experience in IP creation, protection, commercialization, and risk mitigation, he leads initiatives to enhance Infosys' patent portfolio and manages the in-house IP team. He collaborates with business stakeholders to scale up the company's IP assets.
His responsibilities also include managing patent disputes, addressing software license compliance issues, and overseeing IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions. He provides strategic IP consulting to senior management and ensures compliance with IP regulations. Additionally, Faiz handles the clearance process for software product commercialization, addressing IP ownership, open-source compliance, and patent infringement assessments.
With expertise in budgeting, operational planning, and relationship management with external counsels across various jurisdictions, he heads the Infosys IPR Council and actively participates in the Open-Source Review Board.
Jyothi V K is the General Counsel and Senior Vice President (Legal) at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), a leading fashion conglomerate in India. With over 25 years of experience, she has transformed ABFRL's legal team into a tech-driven, customer-centric center of excellence, positioning the legal function as a key business enabler. Under her leadership, the legal department has played a crucial role in driving organizational growth and innovation. At ABFRL, she heads a team of over 30 lawyers, overseeing legal strategy, risk management, brand acquisition, policy advocacy, data privacy, intellectual property rights, e-commerce law, and POSH compliance. She works closely with leadership teams on strategic decisions, ensuring effective governance and the mitigation of legal risks, particularly in AI projects and business expansion. She is passionate about integrating technology into legal operations, having co-developed in-house tech solutions since 2011. She has launched seven legal portals housing over 5,000 legal documents, significantly reducing approval times and delivering substantial savings. A recognized thought leader, she speaks at international conferences on topics such as cybersecurity law, privacy law in D2C businesses, metaverse issues, and digital transformation. She is a member of the core advocacy committee of the Retailers Association of India and has previously served as the Co-chair of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, Bangalore Chapter. Her expertise spans legal risk management, tech integrations, privacy law, cyber security, employment law, and more.
Lakshmi Menon is Director and General Counsel - India at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), where she heads the Legal function for all the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) entities in India. She has two decades of experience as an in-house lawyer and has been the head of Legal for the India Geography for the past 10 years. In her role she is responsible for advising the India leadership team on critical and complex commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, litigation matters, data privacy, regulatory and compliance issues. She serves as a member of the Ethics Council. She is a member of HPE’s global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and regularly facilitates workshops on executive leadership and development of women professionals.
She is passionate about community service and is a big champion of legal pro bono work. Within the Legal Department is a pro bono lead. She is also associated with the Association of People with Disabilities as a volunteer and provides pro bono support to them. She has been recognized with several awards by Legal Era, including India’s Finest General Counsel in 2023 and 2024, and Women in Law Excellence Award, 2023. She regularly speaks at conferences and seminars and her areas of interest are artificial intelligence and sustainability laws.
Prior to joining HP/HPE, she was the Global General Counsel for Indecomm Global Services/Indecomm Corporation, a mid-sized US based information technology company and also served in the roles of an in-house counsel for IBM India Private Limited and Wipro Limited.
Navita Chaubal is the General Counsel & Senior Director at Target, with over 26 years of experience in legal and compliance functions. She is a solution focused legal & compliance professional with rich experience in overseeing daily legal & compliance functions pertaining to regulation and standards. She is adept at understanding business operations & needs, mentoring teams to align with business requirements, conducting audits, verifying operational efficiency, evaluating internal control systems and recommending ways of improving internal controls. She is proficient in managing legal groups/ teams, Knowledge Management, legal projects, investigating various cases and maintaining records. Focused and hard working with proven capability in discovering critical legal points in complex litigation and ability to easily grasp complex situations. Rich exposure of working with international clients/ teams in SE Asia, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, USA, UK, China, Austria, Belgium, Spain, etc. Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously ensuring compliance. She has strong analytical, problem-solving skills coupled with relation building skills with internal/external bodies & excellent negotiations skills.
Panduranga Acharya is a seasoned legal professional and a veteran in the ecommerce industry. He is solution-oriented and a great decision maker. He has led complex transactions and highly performing teams in his career. His vast experience on sectoral regulatory issues is outstanding. Mr Panduranga has built high performance teams and has demonstrated great legal leadership in various organisations.
Mr Panduranga is a Law graduate from Bangalore University. After a brief period of court practice, he worked for various corporations. He carries 18 years of post-qualification experience as in-house counsel and has been associated with MobileStore, Videocon, Vodafone, Flipkart, Swiggy and CarDekho Group. His core competence includes, M&A Transactions Advisory, Business Structuring, Regulatory Compliances, Policy Advocacy and Real Estate Transactions.
He is a regular speaker on diverse legal topics and has been co-chair for FICCI Online Food Aggregator Working Group and currently Executive Committee Member, e-Commerce Law Section at INBA and member of CII National Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
Philip Abraham is Senior Principal (Litigation & Trademarks) at Subramaniam & Associates. With over 25 years of experience, he has represented and advised a diverse range of domestic and international clients across industries, including food, electronics, luxury goods, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, apparel, software, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and FMCG.
He has extensive expertise in trademark oppositions and litigation, including cases addressing seminal legal issues. He frequently argues cases before the High Courts, District Courts, and specialized forums such as the Intellectual Property Appellate Board. His practice also includes supervising and executing civil raids across northern India under court-ordered injunctions and seizures.
He is an active participant in industry conferences both in India and abroad. He has delivered lectures and moderated sessions organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and recently spoke on the “Law of Intellectual Property in India” at a conference held by the Association Francaise des Spécialistes en Propriété Industrielle de l'Industrie (ASPI) in Paris.
In addition, he is a sought-after guest lecturer on trademarks at various technical institutes in Delhi, further contributing to the dissemination of intellectual property knowledge.
Sonal Basu is the General Counsel at Lloyds Technology Centre India. Previously, she was the head of Mindtree's legal, regulatory, and integrity functions. She has nearly twenty years of experience in the field of information technology. In her current role, she provides strategic counsel to the Board and management, across global markets and is also a champion of diversity and inclusion initiatives. She regularly speaks at various reputed forums and educational institutions including IIM Bangalore and has been a faculty member for a seminar course on ‘Cloud Computing’ at the National Law School, Bangalore. She has also co-authored a write-up on ‘Bitcoins’ and ‘Data Science to Drive Good Governance’ which were published in international journals. She is an active volunteer with an NGO that emphasises the importance of children’s education, holds a BLS, LLB degree from Government Law College, Mumbai and a post-graduate diploma in Intellectual Property Rights Laws from the National Law School of India University. She has a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She has also completed her executive leadership program from Cornell University, USA. With several articles authored by her on IT and outsourcing to the credit.
Taruna Gupta is the Head of IP Governance, Training & Assessment at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). She has 28 years of IT industry experience at TCS, spanning across the entire gamut of Intellectual Property Management & Governance, Product Engineering, Presales, Business Strategy Planning, Program Management and Delivery, Practice Management, Alliance and Analyst Relations Management. Currently as part of the TCS Corporate IP & Engineering Group, she is responsible for establishing corporate IP governance processes and systems for TCS IP, customer IP and third party in IP products, platforms and solutions. She also works closely with different TCS business units to guide them on IP creation & protection, risk management and assetization; enabling them with IP and software engineering best practices and compliance to IP commitments, and establishing IP linkages in TCS offerings. She regularly interacts with global IP ecosystem stakeholders, including industry and professional bodies, government agencies and other organizations, to promote collaboration, policy interventions and ecosystem maturity in intellectual property. She has also represented TCS on the technical advisory board for the Indian Patent Office and have been associated with Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) since 2014.
