The protection of intellectual property rights is essential for any country's development. For years the level of IPR protection had been exceedingly low across the Indian market. Despite the fact that India joined the WTO and became a signatory to the TRIPs agreement, the IP Law sector remained a relatively unchatered teritory. It was mostly the foreign MNC’s who were concious of their IP and the importance of protecting the same in India.

However, the IP law industry has been growing stronger. The change agents causing this shift are young professionals with a wide view of the global markets. One such professional, facilitating the growth of Indian IP law industry is Shikha Sachdeva. Driven by the awareness of how important the creation of a well curated IP portfolio and its protection is, she founded ASM Law Offices in the year 2008, having an experience of 7 years in the IP field at that time.

An accomplished lawyer known for successfully navigating complex litigations and settling disputes at a rapid rate, she holds special expertise in Intellectual Property Rights, including Trade Marks, Copyrights and Design.

In an in-depth conversation with the Women Entrepreneur team, Shikha talks about her leadership style and illustrates her expertise in the field of IPR.

Introduce us to ASM law offices and its various practice areas. What factors set the firm apart from its contemporaries in the industry?

ASM Law Offices is a well-established and internationally reputed boutique IP Law firm that works across diverse industries, providing a complete range of IP services including trademarks, copyrights, design laws, domain names, handling of conflicts and litigation, transactional IP services, overall portfolio management for clients and other legal aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

What sets us apart is our laser focused result-oriented disposition, our deep due diligence, our track record of successfully navigating complex litigations and our rate of rapid dispute settlement. Our core values of integrity, open and transparent communication and an exceptional customer experience that makes us a trusted partner for our clients.

Take us through your educational and professional background. How did the journey lead you towards the realm of intellectual property law?

I graduated in B.Com (Hons), from Delhi University and then went on to do LL.B from Faculty of Law, Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. Post that I worked with Bhasin & Co, (Dr. Lalit Bhasin) in the litigation department for two years. At Bhasin & Co I was introduced to civil litigation. Being at the Delhi High Courtregularly introduced me to IP law. Observing IP professionals and IP matters in Court, developed my interest in this area of law.

I then worked with the IP boutique firm Lall & Sethi from 2003 to 2008, for six years, which completely sealed my fate as an IP lawyer.

“The time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along. The quote by napoleon hill sums up shikha’s journey to the hilt.”

Tell us about the current state of the IP law advisory industry in India. How big is the market and in your opinion what opportunities does the sector hold for service providers in the near future?

In the year 2003, when I started practicing IP law, it was a fairly unchartered territory, with very limited IP specialist professionals and firms. At that time, it was mostly foreign MNC’s who were aware of the importance and value of having a well curated IP portfolio and keen on protecting their IP in India.

The IP sector is no longer dominated by foreign companies. In recent years there has been increased awareness about the importance of the creation of a well curated IP portfolio and its protection among the Indian corporate sector as well, including startups and small entrepreneurs. IP protection has also become more affordable for smaller entrepreneurs and companies. The industry has a host of young professionals such as myself who have set up their own successful independent IP practices, hence the IP field is not dominated by only the large IP firms.

Owing to these factors, the scope for expansion in the IP advisory market is immense. IP has been recognized as a niche area of practice with the setting up of designated IP Courts in the major High Courts of the country and in particular the Delhi High Court.

What are the different facets of your personality or your leadership style that have helped you propel the company further? How has your professional growth journey been so far?

I believe I am extremely tenacious and compassionate which has helped me to build and grow the organization. I believe in always leading from the front and taking responsibility of my decisions and actions. As a professional I am very quick on the uptake, result oriented, litigator par excellence and a keen strategist.

My professional growth so far has been rewarding. I understand the requirements of my clients brand have handheld organizations on their way to creating a diverse IP Portfolio with strategy as per the clients requirement. My professional journey was laden with opportunities to work with some of the best legal professionals in the IP field, as lawyers and in-house counsels. I have appeared before some of the finest Judges of the country, that has indeed taught me a lot.

How do you keep yourself well aligned with industry related evolutions which would help to set the roadmap ahead for your professional journey?

One way of keeping myself abreast with industry related evolutions, is regularly practicing at the Delhi High Court and also doing matters at the different High Courts of the country. A lot of information is Exchanged among seniors and colleagues over time spent in the canteen and the High Court lobby while waiting for matters. The other way is of course by reading legal journals, articles and attending conferences both national and international.

Shikha Sachdeva, Managing Partner, ASM Law Offices

An IPR professional possessing qualities of quick uptake, result oriented, litigator par excellence, keen strategist and quick understanding of the requirement of clients. She has handheld organizations on their way to creating a diverse IP Portfolio with strategy as per the clients requirement.