Andal Seshadri
India & UAE
Summary
Dynamic legal professional with 3+ experience, specializing in web3, AI, technology and coporate law. Proven expertise in contract drafting and intellectual property management, coupled with strong in-house advisory skills. Successfully developed robust IP and data privacy strategies and ensured compliance with international regulations, demonstrating exceptional analytical and negotiation abilities.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Legal Compliance Advisor
Aston VIP
Dubai
04.2025 - Current
- Advising clients across the full VARA licensing lifecycle, including eligibility assessment, documentation, internal compliance framework design, and regulatory submissions for Broker-Dealer, Custody, and VA Management licenses.
- Drafting and reviewing AML/CFT policies, risk-based compliance manuals, internal governance protocols, and regulatory disclosures tailored to virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and AI-integrated fintech solutions.
- Providing end-to-end legal counsel on business structuring, entity setup, and cross-border licensing strategies across UAE jurisdictions (Mainland, DIFC, DMCC, ADGM, Free Zones) for crypto, DeFi, and AI-powered startups.
- Supporting digital asset companies and AI platforms in achieving compliance with KYC, GDPR-equivalent data protection, and automated decision-making standards in line with UAE and international benchmarks.
- Advising on the structuring and enforceability of smart contracts, tokenized instruments, and AI-assisted financial models, including algorithmic trading bots, DeFi lending pools, and on-chain governance protocols.
- Led compliance and IP risk analysis for AI-driven platforms integrating LLM tools (e.g., ChatGPT APIs), including the drafting of algorithmic accountability disclosures, data provenance policies, and prompt IP frameworks.
- Counseling clients on ownership, licensing, and moral rights issues in AI-generated content, particularly in the context of generative art, NFT collectibles, and AI-authored creative works.
- Conducting regulatory audits and risk assessments for tech ventures utilizing machine learning in fraud detection, credit risk scoring, and customer onboarding automation.
- Facilitating dialogue between clients and regulators (e.g., VARA, DFSA, Dubai Legal Affairs Dept.) and managing legal interactions for regulatory sandboxes and public consultations.
- Co-organized and co-sponsored the Legal Mini-Hackathon & Regulatory Panel in collaboration with Thomson Reuters and AS Legal, spearheading multidisciplinary discussions on AI governance, digital identity, and virtual asset frameworks.
- Advising early-stage clients on IP protections for AI models, trade secret retention, and open-source licensing governance, particularly where models are fine-tuned for commercial UAE use cases.
- Recommending strategic partnerships, market entry positioning, and legal tech integrations to support client expansion within Dubai’s Web3, fintech, and AI ecosystems.
LEGAL COUNSEL
TRACEY AI
DUBAI
01.2024 - 04.2025
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including SaaS, licensing, partnership, and AI service agreements, in compliance with UAE and international legal standards.
- Manage end-to-end copyright and trademark registration, renewal, and IP strategy for AI and Web3 technologies, ensuring strong protection for proprietary assets.
- Lead IP strategy development, ensuring robust protection for AI algorithms and datasets to maintain competitive advantage.
- Ensure corporate and regulatory compliance with local and international data protection regulations such as GDPR, DIFC, and ADGM data laws.
- Advise on corporate governance and risk management strategies, ensuring compliance with UAE commercial laws, and AML/KYC requirements for AI-based services.
- Provided legal advisory to AI and Web3 startups (clients of Tracey AI) on navigating UAE innovation policies and programs, including participation in regulatory laboratories such as the Global TradeTech Sandbox, ICT Regulatory Sandbox (TDRA), DFSA’s Innovation Testing Licence Program, and ADGM’s RegLab.
- Maintain and streamline legal documentation and contract repositories to optimize document management, retrieval, and audit readiness.
- Advise on and drafted employment, contractor, and consultant agreements aligned with UAE Labour Law and remote workforce policies.
- Support investor relations through the structuring and legal review of term sheets, SAFEs, and convertible note agreements.
LEGAL CONSULTANT
JASSIM ALSUWAIDI ADVOCATES & PARTNERS
DUBAI
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Structured and executed complex banking and finance documentation, including credit facility agreements, negative pledge arrangements, and cross-border corporate guarantees, all aligned with Loan Market Association (LMA) standards for regional and international banking compliance.
- Designed and implemented end-to-end IP protection strategies for tech and retail clients, including filing and managing trademark portfolios, drafting bespoke software license agreements, and advising on copyright commercialization frameworks across the GCC.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated high-value B2B commercial contracts- including supply chain agreements, franchise contracts, exclusive distributor deals, and vendor procurement agreements- for clients in the luxury retail space (fashion, jewelry, cosmetics) and real estate development sector.
- Provided strategic legal advisory to foreign investors and startups on market entry into Dubai’s virtual assets space, including compliance with VARA licensing, AML/KYC obligations, and tokenized asset frameworks.
- Revamped and standardized internal legal templates- such as non-disclosure agreements, legal services agreements, and general power of attorney forms- to ensure clarity, enforceability, and efficiency in legal operations.
- Liaised with government departments and handled corporate legal filings, supported case law research and precedent tracking, and assisted with onshore and DIFC court matters, contributing to successful client litigation strategies.
Licesned Advocate
Chambers of Srinivasa Iyengar
Bangalore
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Drafted and negotiated a wide range of intellectual property and commercial agreements, including trademark licensing contracts, copyright assignment deeds, franchise agreements, and NDAs for clients in the design, publishing, and tech industries.
- Conducted end-to-end trademark registration processes, including availability searches, filing, prosecution, and handling oppositions before the Indian IP Office.
- Advised a luxury home décor brand on brand protection and licensing strategy across India and the GCC region, tailoring IP documentation to ensure cross-border enforceability.
- Represented clients in complex civil and commercial litigation, including partnership disputes, property claims, and IP infringement matters, before the High Court of Karnataka, the City Civil Court, and the Consumer Protection Forums.
- Drafted pleadings, interim applications, legal notices, and settlement proposals for civil suits and consumer complaints, ensuring precise legal positioning.
- Worked alongside art historians and subject matter experts to evaluate artistic copyright infringement claims, producing comparative legal analysis reports and issuing formal legal notices to opposing parties.
- Conducted legal due diligence, case law research, and precedent mapping to support strategic litigation planning and risk assessments for ongoing disputes.
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Intern
Trilegal
Mumbai
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Conducted IP searches as part of IP due diligence on matters.
- Researched on various Indian laws- the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules of 1945, the Trade Marks Act of 1999, and the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act of 2022.
- Researched on topics such as resale royalty, NFTs, IP issues in the metaverse, assignment of personality rights, defense procurement contracts, transfer of technology rights, etc.
Founder
Bharati Creations
Bangalore
04.2020 - 06.2022
- Established Bharati Creations, a social enterprise empowering destitute women in India by training them in traditional Indian handicrafts, with a focus on Madhubani art.
- Developed a structured training program, upskilling 150+ women in Madhubani painting, textile embroidery, and pottery, fostering financial independence.
- Created a direct-to-market model, eliminating middlemen, and ensuring higher profit margins for artisans by facilitating direct sales to fashion retailers, and NRIs in the US and UK.
- Provided intellectual property awareness training, educating artisans on copyright protection, geographical indications, and design rights, preventing exploitation and securing fair compensation.
Student Paralegal
AZB & Partners
Mumbai
12.2021 - 03.2022
- Conducted various kinds of trademark searches on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion- Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks website, and drafted analysis reports on the same.
- Prepared research notes on topics relating to the Information Technology Act of 2000, the General Data Protection Regulation of 2016, the e-Privacy Directive of 2000, and the European Electronic Communications Code of 2018.
- Assisted in business promotion and outreach activities, and prepared content for presentations on topics related to intellectual property and technology law.
Business Strategy & Compliance Intern
Wood & Company
Prague
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Conducted market research and competitive analysis to assess regulatory trends affecting financial services firms in the EU, with a focus on data protection, digital finance, and fintech compliance.
- Drafted and optimized compliance frameworks for digital business models, including privacy policies, cookie policies, SaaS agreements, and smart contract clauses, ensuring regulatory alignment and business scalability.
- Assisted in business process optimization, identifying inefficiencies in compliance workflows and proposing strategic improvements to enhance regulatory agility and risk management.
- Supported client advisory initiatives, helping financial and technology-driven businesses navigate complex EU regulatory landscapes while aligning legal obligations with business growth objectives.
Education
B.A.L.L.B. Hons. - Savitri Jindal Scholarship- LSAT score of 97.3%
O.P. Jindal Global University
India05-2022
Skills
Corporate & Technology Law
Contract Drafting
Intellectual Property Law & Portfolio Management
In-House Advisory
Employment Law
Digital Transformation
Certification
- 1-year Diploma in Cyber Laws, FinTech Regulations, and Technology Contracts, Lawsikho (currently pursuing)
- Digital Consulting Experience Program, PwC US
- Management Consulting Experience Program, PwC US
- 1 Million Prompters Certification, Dubai Future Foundation
- Digital Law Work Experience Program, Herbert Smith Freehills
- Artificial Intelligence and Legal Issues, Politecnico di Milano, Coursera
- Fin-tech Law & Policy, Duke University, Coursera
- Designing the Future of Work, University of New South Wales- Sydney, Coursera
- General Course on Intellectual Property - DL101, WIPO
- Intermediate Python- DATACAMP
- All 4 'Transition to Web3' courses- Rise in Web3
- Arabic Language- The Complete Course (All Levels), Udemy
Accomplishments
- McKinsey Forward Scholar 2024, McKinsey & Co.
- SheFi Scholar 2025 (on a 100% scholarship) and elected Chapter Lead of Shefi for Dubai
- Selected Cohort Member- Sanctuary (India's first Women-Only Non-Tech Hackathon) organized by Superwoman DAO and Web3prenuer
- Future of India Fellowship - National Student Union of India (NSIU)
- 1st Position - Deep Tech Hackathon 2024 - The Residency Dubai - Arrayah, held at the Dubai AI Campus, and a member of Cohort 2 of the Residency Dubai in 2024
- 1st Position- Legal Technology Essay and Summer School Competition 2021 (on 100 scholarship) European Centre for Continous Education (ECCEDU)
- 2nd Position- Al Tamimi & Co. Legal Hackathon 2023, Al Tamimi & Co.
- Panelist and Special Guest- GITEX North Star Uniprenuer 2024 (panel on opportunities in AI and web3 for UAE youth)
Languages
English
First Language
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Arabic
Elementary (A2)
A2
Affiliations
- I am a member of Dubai Young Professionals and Women in e-Discovery- Dubai Chapter and enjoy attending tech, legal, and business conferences, and updating my audience on new trends and synergies in the industry on LinkedIn and X. I enjoy mentoring students on the importance of personal branding.
- In university, I was an active member of the moot court society, alternate dispute resolution society, legal aid society, historical society and the business marketing and branding society. Interestingly, I was the President of the P.G. Wodehouse Society and a teaching assistant under Prof. Rashmi Raman for the elective, 'Harry Potter and the Power of Imagination'.
- I enjoy physical pursuits such as hiking, running, and padel.
- I am an avid adopter of AI tools in the arts and content creation, and have created an AI art collection on "Dubai in 2100" using Midjourney and have participated in the Global Prompt Engineering Championship organized by the Dubai Future Foundation this year.
Publications (available to read on my LinkedIn profile)
- The Brussels Blueprint: Is the EU AI Act Setting the De Facto Standard for Global AI Governance?
- Sovereignty in the Cloud: Saudi Arabia’s Global AI Hub Law and the Future of Digital Jurisdiction
- The Payment Token Services Regulation by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates
- Blockchain as a Solution to Prevent Counterfeit of Luxury Goods in India
- The Intersection between the Right to Resale Royalty and NFTs in India
Timeline
Legal Compliance Advisor
Aston VIP
04.2025 - Current
LEGAL COUNSEL
TRACEY AI
01.2024 - 04.2025
LEGAL CONSULTANT
JASSIM ALSUWAIDI ADVOCATES & PARTNERS
08.2023 - 01.2024
Licesned Advocate
Chambers of Srinivasa Iyengar
07.2022 - 07.2023
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Intern
Trilegal
06.2022 - 07.2022
Student Paralegal
AZB & Partners
12.2021 - 03.2022
Business Strategy & Compliance Intern
Wood & Company
10.2021 - 12.2021
Founder
Bharati Creations
04.2020 - 06.2022
B.A.L.L.B. Hons. - Savitri Jindal Scholarship- LSAT score of 97.3%
O.P. Jindal Global University
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