This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal and The SuperLawyer Team
From engineering at BITS, Pilani to an LL.M. in Law & Technology at UC Berkeley, what inspired your transition from a technical role to a legal career, particularly in the field of intellectual property?
I have always been someone who wanted to carve a slightly unconventional path. While many of my peers were heading towards an MBA or preparing for UPSC, I found myself questioning what would truly keep me intellectually engaged and professionally satisfied in the long run. That’s when I started reflecting deeply on my interests and I realised that law was something that genuinely intrigued me.
So, I decided to take the leap and pursued an LL.B. from Delhi University along with my first job. During my law studies, I naturally gravitated towards patent law. It was a perfect intersection of my technical background and growing interest in legal thinking. That blend of technology and law really excited me.
After completing my LL.B., I wanted to deepen my understanding and focus on this intersection, which led me to pursue an LL.M. in Law & Technology at UC Berkeley. Since then, I’ve been working as a patent lawyer, and while the transition from engineering to law was certainly a bold and challenging one, looking back now, I can say it was one of the best decisions I have made. It has been a fulfilling journey.
In what ways has your engineering background influenced your approach to patent drafting, prosecution, or litigation especially when dealing with highly technical sectors?
My engineering background plays a crucial role in how I approach patent matters. It has trained me to think logically, break down complex inventions into simpler components, and understand the technical nuances that are often central to patent drafting and prosecution. When dealing with inventions, having a solid technical foundation helps me engage meaningfully with inventors, understand the core of their innovation, and translate that into precise legal language. This ensures that the patents I draft are not only legally sound but also technically accurate and strategically strong.
Even in litigation, my ability to understand technical documents, prior art, and expert reports gives me an edge in building arguments and cross-examining technical witnesses. It helps bridge the gap between the legal and technical worlds which is essential in patent law.
Transitioning from engineering to law is quite a significant shift. What were some of the key challenges you faced early on in your legal career, and how did you navigate them?
Yes, the transition from engineering to law came with its fair share of challenges. The skill sets required in both fields are quite different. In engineering, the focus is largely on problem-solving in a structured, often individual capacity. On the other hand, law is much more dynamic and people-facing involving teamwork, client interactions, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Initially, it was a bit overwhelming to shift from working quietly on technical problems to having to articulate arguments, think on my feet, and engage with clients, patent officers or courts. Adapting to this new environment took time, but with consistent effort and mentorship, I eventually found a rhythm. Looking back, I see this shift not as a hurdle but as an important phase of personal and professional growth.
You’ve been closely associated with the automobile industry- both through your prior engineering role at Maruti Suzuki and working on patent strategy for automobile companies. What are some of the unique IP challenges that companies in this sector face when operating in India?
One key observation I have made while working with Indian automotive companies is that IP is often not treated as a strategic priority. It usually comes in late during product development, especially in a sector traditionally focused on production and supply chains. Enforcement is a major concern, particularly when it comes to tackling counterfeit products. Another challenge lies in vendor-level IP protection,many companies work with third-party suppliers without clearly defined IP ownership in contracts, which becomes a legal nightmare at a later stage.
However, the landscape is evolving. With the rise of EVs, connected mobility, and software-driven features, IP is becoming increasingly important. Buyers today often care more about tech features than mechanical specs. Yet protecting such innovations especially software and AI is tricky in India due to patentability restrictions. A proactive IP strategy is now more essential than ever.
Having represented clients in opposition proceedings and patent office hearings, how would you assess the Indian patent ecosystem in comparison to international jurisdictions? What best practices could India adopt to strengthen its system?
The Indian patent ecosystem has come a long way, especially in the last few years. Timelines have improved, rules have been amended, digitization has made filings and hearings more efficient, the Patent Office is becoming more responsive, and special IP divisions are being set up at major High Courts. However, when compared to some international jurisdictions, there’s still room for improvement particularly in consistency of examination standards and depth of reasoning in office actions or opposition decisions.
Another area where India can improve is in increasing technical training and specialization of patent examiners, especially in emerging fields like AI and biotech. Greater transparency in outcomes and timelines would also build confidence in the system. Adopting global best practices and encouraging early engagement between applicants and examiners, could also go a long way in strengthening the Indian IP ecosystem.
Your time at UC Berkeley exposed you to global perspectives on intellectual property and business strategy. How has this international exposure influenced your legal thinking and practice within the Indian framework?
Patent law is one field where the core concepts like novelty and inventive step remain largely uniform across major jurisdictions, thanks to global frameworks like the Paris Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). My exposure to the US patent system and interactions with peers from over 50 countries at UC Berkeley significantly broadened my perspective on how different countries approach similar IP challenges.
This international experience equipped me to handle patent prosecution in jurisdictions like the US and EU with greater confidence. More importantly, it helped me view IP not just as a legal formality but as a strategic business tool. I now encourage clients to think about IP early and align it with their commercial objectives. It also made me more mindful of global standards in drafting, prosecution, and portfolio management. Bridging international best practices with the Indian framework has added real value to my practice and client outcomes.
With rapid technological advancements, how do you see AI reshaping the legal industry? What steps can lawyers take to remain relevant in the age of AI??
AI is a topic I am deeply passionate about. I would like to touch on two key aspects here- how AI is transforming the legal profession, and the legal challenges AI itself brings.
AI will reshape every area of law, from IP to liability and contract interpretation to competition, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. Even without a dedicated AI law like the EU AI Act, existing legal frameworks will increasingly need to address AI-related issues. The day is not far when most law firms will have dedicated AI law practice.
On the other hand, AI is also changing how we practice law. Given the template-driven and repetitive nature of much of legal work, AI tools are being widely adopted to improve efficiency. Major law firms in India have started integrating AI into their workflows. While this boosts productivity, it also raises concerns about the future of certain legal roles.
As the saying goes, “AI would not replace lawyers but will replace lawyers who don’t use AI”. To stay relevant, legal professionals must embrace technology, continuously upskill, and focus on areas where human judgment, strategic thinking, and empathy remain indispensable.
Following up on the previous question, what are the key legal issues AI raises in the context of IP law?
AI raises several complex legal questions in IP law because it challenges traditional concepts of authorship, inventorship, and ownership. For instance, most patent and copyright systems globally require a human creator or inventor but how do we address inventions or creative works autonomously generated by AI? Should the AI’s developer, user, or owner get the rights?
Another major issue is training data. AI models are often trained on vast datasets that may include copyrighted works, raising concerns about infringement and fair use. Determining the originality of AI-generated content also becomes tricky when the model relies on pre-existing works.
Additionally, protecting AI algorithms and models themselves whether through patents, trade secrets, or copyrights poses its own challenges, especially when the invention combines both software and data-driven elements. Courts around the world are grappling with these issues, and it’s prompting a re-examination of existing IP frameworks. As AI continues to evolve, significant legal reforms may be necessary to address these emerging challenges effectively.
Looking back on your professional journey, what advice would you offer to students or young professionals aspiring to build a career in IP law, especially in patents?
My advice to students or young professionals aspiring to build a career in IP law, especially in patents, is to stay curious and build a strong foundation in both technology and law. Patent law sits at the intersection of science, innovation, and legal reasoning, so having a genuine interest in understanding how things work is key.
Second, be patient. The learning curve can be steep, especially when dealing with complex inventions or international legal frameworks. Also, focus on sharpening your writing and analytical skills, they’re at the core of good patent practice.
Lastly, stay updated. With emerging technologies like AI, biotech, and quantum computing, IP law is constantly evolving.
I would especially encourage science and engineering students to consider patent law as a career option. It’s a unique field where your technical background becomes a real asset, and the work is both intellectually stimulating and impactful.
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