KRIA Law, located in Chennai, is a full-service law firm founded by M.S. Bharath in March 2021 with a focus on Intellectual Property Laws. The firm specialises in offering "KRIAtive" solutions to its clients. A modern, contemporary, paperless, and totally digital organization, KRIA Law comprises of eight lawyers and five support employees to service its hundreds of customers.

“I had the honour of being one of the early architects who helped to construct KRIA Law from its second month of operation, consolidating its culture, processes, practise, client handling, and coaching junior associates to create a powerful team”, says Akshaya P Sachin, Partner at KRIA Law. In an exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Akshaya P Sachin, Partner, KRIA Law walks us through her personal and professional journey along with the unique traits of the law firm.

Take Us Through Your Educational Journey And Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table. What Motivated You To Foray Into The Field Of Intellectual Property Law?

I grew up in a family of passionate readers and a home filled with books. With a flair for English, an elephantine memory, and a proclivity to exhibit the traits of an argumentative Indian, it was only logical that I opted to study law. Joining the School of Law, SASTRA University, Tanjore, in its second year of operation I was provided with a wonderful opportunity and experience in establishing its Free Legal Aid cell and the Mooting and Debating society, which represented the University, wherein, we brought home many laurels from national events.

With experience across varied fields such as Human Rights, Media and Entertainment, Taxation, Commercial Laws, Labor laws, among others, Intellectual Property rights, remained my pinnacle. The field of IP has always fascinated me, given its constant interplay between commerce, science, innovation, arts, and laws.

That You Currently Shoulder At Kria Law? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Role And How Do You Overcome Them?

As a partner and the key architect of KRIA Law, I had the wonderful opportunity and ability to articulate and inculcate the core values, culture, and practices of the firm. Since April 2021, I along with the Founder of our firm, had to meticulously build the foundation of the firm with critical team members, onboard early clients, draw up procedures for operations, build the digital library given that the firm is fully paper less.

Apart from this, I strategize contentious proceedings before Court and IP Offices, and oversee large and diverse IP portfolios across many foreign jurisdictions apart from mentoring associates. The last year, transitioning from being a Senior Associate in a large IP Firm to a Partner and an early architect of a full-service law firm, has given me an inside out perspective on, and hands on experience in building an organisation, teams, culture, processes, onboarding clients, and draw up the plan and vision of the firm for years to come.

How Has Your Prior Industry Experience Helped You In Your Current Role At Kria Law? What Are Some Important Features About Your Expertise As An Ip Strategist?

Under the guidance and mentorship of Mr. Bharath, a veteran in the field of Intellectual Property, I had gathered rich experience in servicing clientele with large portfolios in diverse fields such as broadcasting & entertainment, FMCG, Pharmaceuticals & Hospitality to name a few. Such exposure aided in the acquisition and development of abilities for conceptualising, developing, and implementing strategies for the protection, enforcement, and commercialization of intellectual property portfolios. Each of these stepping stones aided me in taking the risk of accepting the invitation to become a Partner at KRIA Law.

What Have Been The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? What Is Your Guiding Leadership Philosophy?

Early in my career, I was the youngest junior associate to be entrusted with the opportunity to manage clients' national and worldwide IP portfolios entirely, across 180 countries and with over 1000 files. Currently, I have had the privilege of helping to build the foundations of KRIA Law as a member of the core team, which was set up in March 2021. Having had the honor of being a leader since school, I would define my leadership style as "lead by example." I like to stay involved and inspire my team by showing that I am working hands-on to help them, too.

"I was privileged to be one Of the early architects To build kria law from Its second month of Operations, cementing Its culture, processes, Practice, client handling And mentoring junior Associates to build a Formidable team"

How Do You Keep Yourself Well Aligned With The Periodic Evolutions Occurring Within Your Respective Field Of Work?

Indian Intellectual Property laws, protection and enforcement mechanisms have significantly evolved over the last two decades. The changes in the IP registration and enforcement mechanisms have turned India to be an IP friendly market. These have blended well with “MAKE IN INDIA”, “START UP INDIA” and “Ease of doing business in India” programs, resulting in increase of registration and enforcement of IP by entrepreneurs. We constantly study trends in the global markets and jurisprudence in other equally placed countries, share them with the Indian community, entrepreneurs and clients and persuade the Indian Courts to embrace it as well. It is interesting to note that one of our client’s based on our advice, has sought to protect the interiors of their retail stores as a trademark.

As A Successful Business Leader What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Aspiring To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

Embrace your femininity - it is not something we need to be afraid of or sacrifice in order to succeed. My daughter was only six months old when I was asked to be one of the early architects of KRIA Law. Juggling the roles of a new mother and a Partner of an upcoming law firm was indeed a challenging task, which I have now embraced contentedly.

Akshaya P Sachin, Partner, Kria Law

Educational Qualification

• NALSAR - Post-Graduate Diploma in Media Laws, 2016 (All-India Rank 3)

• School of Law, Sastra University – BA LLB (Hons.), 2014

Services Provided By Firm

Intellectual Property and Information Technology, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Laws, Taxation, and General Civil Disputes

Headquarter & Other Office Locations

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.