Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
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Sanchith Shivakumar

Sanchith Shivakumar

Chennai

Summary

A detail-oriented lawyer with a unique blend of skills drawn from a diverse range of experience involving roles in litigation, law firms, independent practice and in-house. In my current position as a senior leader, I have learnt to align my goals with those of the organization, and work towards a long-term vision. I specialize in crafting innovative solutions to complex legal challenges, and take great pleasure in being able to articulate the same in a business-friendly manner.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Director - Legal (General Counsel)

Pocket FM
Remote
01.2024 - Current
  • Led multiple financing rounds for the company (debt and equity).
  • Notable transactions include additional Series D closings (totalling $50 MM+), secondary transactions ($50 MM+), venture debt ($75 MM+).
  • Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
  • Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members. Grew from a legal team of 1-2 members to a department of 10.
  • Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with global corporate standards.
  • Provided guidance on legal matters related to contracts or intellectual property rights.
  • Led the company's IP strategy, as well as the data protection and information security charter.

Consulting General Counsel

Pocket FM
Remote
01.2023 - 12.2023
  • Reviewed and provided legal advice on various transactions, most notably leading the Series D fundraise of the company ($100 MM+ transaction).
  • Coordinated due diligence efforts for prospective deals.
  • Assisted in the negotiation of contracts and other legal documents with external stakeholders.
  • Conducted research on complex legal issues related to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property rights and labor law matters.
  • Provided guidance to senior management on risk assessment strategies related to litigation and dispute resolution.
  • Advised senior leadership on potential strategic investments into new markets or technologies.

Founding Attorney - Kaiwa Law

Self
Chennai
10.2020 - 12.2023
  • Advised on and negotiated several transactions as a start-up-focused lawyer.
  • End-to-end support and advisory for startups.
  • Advised the promoters of Stup Consulting on a 100% acquisition of the business by Assystem S.A.
  • Advised startups on India-focused SHAs, as well as US-focused transaction documents (per the NVCA standard).
  • Intellectual property advisory and filing.
  • Drafted and reviewed contracts of all kinds.

Associate

Assentio Legal
Chennai
09.2019 - 10.2020
  • Drafted and reviewed different kinds of contracts, including investment-related agreements, licenses, software acquisitions, privacy policies, vendor agreements, etc.
  • Advisory role on a wide range of matters, including fund raises, general corporate, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, cyber law, privacy law etc.
  • Notable transactions included investment in Waycool Foods' Series C round led by Lightbox, investment into Gambit Sports by Vereeni.

Associate

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
New Delhi
03.2019 - 05.2019
  • Intellectual property filings and litigation.
  • IP and brand advisory.
  • IP agreements.

Associate

Anand and Anand
New Delhi
05.2017 - 02.2019
  • Led pharmaceutical patent litigation and advisory for clients such as Bayer Pharmaceuticals, AztraZeneca, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers, Novo Nordisk and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
  • Led trademark litigation and advisory for clients such as Samsung, Mahindra & Mahindra, Domino’s, OLX, JK Lakshmi Cements, Cipla and Career Launcher.
  • Represented Bayer Pharmaceuticals in the landmark 'Polar Exemption' case before the Delhi High Court.
  • Represented AstraZeneca in its landmark litigation seeking enforcement of multiple patents protecting a single drug molecule.
  • Represented celebrity fashion designer Gaurav Gupta in one of the earliest cases applying copyright law to fashion design in India.
  • Represented OLX in its suits against Cars24 alleging illegal solicitation of users and misuse of confidential user information before the Delhi High Court.
  • Represented Samsung Electronics in its landmark litigation before the Delhi High Court involving the application of ‘international exhaustion’ to Indian trademark law.

Education

B.A./LLB - Law

NUJS
Kolkata
03-2017

Skills

  • Contract Drafting and Negotiation
  • Business Development
  • Client Management
  • Staff Development and Management

Languages

English
First Language
Tamil
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2

Accomplishments

  • “Finding the Right Balance- Patentability issues in using CRISPR on the Human Genome”, Life Sciences IP Review, October 2017
  • Winner, Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court Competition- National Rounds (November 2014). Awarded ‘Best Speaker of the Finals’.
  • Quarter finalist, Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court Competition- World Rounds held in Florida (April 2015). Ranked among the top ten speakers at the same.
  • Ranked number one in the University Debate Team Selections and awarded ‘Debater of the Year’
  • Winner and Best Speaker at multiple nation-wide parliamentary debate tournaments.
  • Member of the Adjudication Core at the NUJS Parliamentary Debate, 2015 and 2016.
  • Represented NUJS at the World Universities Debating Championship, 2014.
  • Member of the Indian Debate Team at the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) held in Athens (2009), Doha (2010) and Dundee (2011), as well as the Russell Mcveagh International Debating tour held in New Zealand (2011). Member of the first Indian team to proceed to the octofinals of WSDC (2010).
  • Ranked ESL 8th Best Speaker in the World at WSDC, Dundee in 2011.

Affiliations

  • Former member of the Masquerade Theatre Troupe in Chennai.
  • Enjoy playing the violin, reading, and travelling.

Timeline

Director - Legal (General Counsel)

Pocket FM
01.2024 - Current

Consulting General Counsel

Pocket FM
01.2023 - 12.2023

Founding Attorney - Kaiwa Law

Self
10.2020 - 12.2023

Associate

Assentio Legal
09.2019 - 10.2020

Associate

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
03.2019 - 05.2019

Associate

Anand and Anand
05.2017 - 02.2019

B.A./LLB - Law

NUJS

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Sanchith Shivakumar