Bijal Vakil
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Bijal Vakil
General Counsel, Board Member
Bijal Vakil, a Board Member and General Counsel at Arihanta Institute, is a founding partner of Allen & Overy’s Silicon Valley and San Francisco Offices and serves as the global co-head of the firm’s Technology practice where he successfully represents technology companies across their life cycle from early stage start-ups to leading businesses. Clients turn to Bijal as a trusted business partner and legal counsel for both his courtroom experience and his practical strategic advice to protect their highly sensitive, deeply technical IP. He has an impressive track record litigating complex patent cases in district courts, the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and before the Federal Circuit. The knowledge and insight he brings to the most challenging technology and intellectual property matters globally make him a valued partner for companies ranging from those on the Fortune 100 list to Silicon Valley startups.
Bijal’s practice covers a wide range of technologies, including computer software, semiconductors, drones, e-commerce, social media, payments, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, telecommunications, video games, medical devices and innovative uses of blockchain technology in cryptocurrency. His experience includes serving as lead counsel in hundreds of contentious patent matters, leading U.S. and cross-border deals, strategizing on complex technology transactions, and forming technology alliances in ground-breaking new industries.
The legal community recognizes Bijal’s unique skill set. He was selected to serve in various court committees in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, including: Co-Chair of the Lawyer’s Representative Committee; Chair of two Magistrate Judge Selection Committees; Member of Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee; and Mediator, Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.
Bijal strongly believes in keeping the door open for others. To that end, he served on the Executive Committee of the National Asian Pacific Bar Association (along with various other positions), Committees for the National South Asian Bar Association, the NAPABA Law Foundation Board, as President of the Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley (along with various other roles) and as President of the Asian Law Alliance (along with various other roles). Legal and business organizations have recognized Bijal with awards, including from the National Asian Pacific Bar Association and the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
At his previous firm, he served as the Managing Partner of their Silicon Valley office for over a decade, Chair of the U.S. Diversity Committee, and the founder of the Taiwan practice.
Bijal’s practice covers a wide range of technologies, including computer software, semiconductors, drones, e-commerce, social media, payments, autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, telecommunications, video games, medical devices and innovative uses of blockchain technology in cryptocurrency. His experience includes serving as lead counsel in hundreds of contentious patent matters, leading U.S. and cross-border deals, strategizing on complex technology transactions, and forming technology alliances in ground-breaking new industries.
The legal community recognizes Bijal’s unique skill set. He was selected to serve in various court committees in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, including: Co-Chair of the Lawyer’s Representative Committee; Chair of two Magistrate Judge Selection Committees; Member of Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee; and Mediator, Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.
Bijal strongly believes in keeping the door open for others. To that end, he served on the Executive Committee of the National Asian Pacific Bar Association (along with various other positions), Committees for the National South Asian Bar Association, the NAPABA Law Foundation Board, as President of the Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley (along with various other roles) and as President of the Asian Law Alliance (along with various other roles). Legal and business organizations have recognized Bijal with awards, including from the National Asian Pacific Bar Association and the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
At his previous firm, he served as the Managing Partner of their Silicon Valley office for over a decade, Chair of the U.S. Diversity Committee, and the founder of the Taiwan practice.