Leaders
In the dynamic world of intellectual property (IP) and trademarks, where innovation meets protection, women leaders are leaving an indelible mark. One such name is Navlin Swain, Managing Partner at Eludication Advocates & Legal consultants. Armed with 14 years of legal experience, Navlin is an advocate registered with the BAR and specializes in Intellectual Property handling IP portfolios and creating brand awareness for companies.
A law graduate with an LLM from Rajasthan University, Navlin’s innovative approach to brand protection combines legal expertise with investigative intelligence by identifying key problem areas, tracking the main counterfeiting chain, while securing court injunctions to getting her clients return on investment (ROI). From pioneering landmark trademark cases to spearheading global IP policies, Navlin is not only shaping the future of intellectual property but also inspires the next generation of legal minds.
Walk us through your academic background. What influenced your decision to specialize in intellectual property law?
While pursuing my law, I developed a strong interest in intellectual property (IP) and pursued a diploma from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Indian Law Institute. Upon completing my studies, I decided to pursue a career in litigation. I vividly recall an incident where I was deceived into purchasing counterfeit glasses, despite being aware of the common indicators of such fraud. This experience underscored the critical need for greater consumer awareness and legal enforcement against counterfeiting. It fueled my determination to advocate for IP rights and deepen my understanding of the legal mechanisms that protect them. I now work for brands that range from sportwear, travel gear to confectionaries and help them combat their anti-counterfeiting while protecting their trade dress, brand names and identity.
What key competencies have you developed over 14 years as an IP expert? Which key professional experiences have impacted your journey the most?
With over a decade of experience protecting multinational brands, I’ve led nationwide efforts to combat counterfeiting through raids, seizures, and cease-and-desist lawsuits. I have strong faith in my work and have worked for my clients all across the country. One experience that impacted my philosophy and strategy in the field was addressing the key problems of lack of awareness and need to educate and inform people on the importance of a legitimate business. The concept of herd mentality is quite common which leads to more counterfeiters and breaking the chain helps in reducing such lawlessness. I realized that mediation could help people understand their faults and make them change. I believe that a lot of counterfeiters I meet can change and make a better life to get into legitimate business rather than fighting a extending legal battle.
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What led you to establish Eludication Advocates & Legal Consultants? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.
Eludication Advocates & Legal Consultants aims to provide a comprehensive solution for all intellectual property (IP) problems, including branding, anti-counterfeiting, copyright, trademark, design, and patent protection. We also cross-check market segments to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
The firm provides a one-stop solution for all IP problems, including legal and brand packaging issues. We also emphasize collaboration with clients to build tailored, forward-looking enforcement strategies that balance legal rigor with business practicality. We offer legal contractual services and product packaging solutions for clients, ensuring they don't have to rely on multiple parties for their queries.
What challenges do you face in your current role? How are you navigating through these roadblocks successfully?
As a managing partner, one of the greatest challenges lies in striking a balance between active legal practice, shaping a strong business culture, and fostering an inclusive workplace. Navigating the dynamics between colleagues, junior associates, and management staff often reveals gaps in communication and expectations. Competitiveness, while healthy, can sometimes intensify these challenges.
However, maintaining a friendly atmosphere can help manage these challenges. Maintaining open communication and seeking feedback from colleagues and working staff can help resolve issues and create a congenial atmosphere.
The primary goal of intellectual property protection is to create a strong deterrent against infringement. In developing effective strategies, it's essential to recognize that fostering a shared culture of respect for IP is just as important. Striking a balance between business objectives and client needs is an ongoing challenge, one that demands collaboration, empathy, and clear communication. Equally important is staying up to date with evolving laws and regulations, as continuous learning is key to providing informed and forward-thinking solutions.
Which career milestones have been the most special to you?
Through my work, I have been able to reduce counterfeiting activities of our clients and create new brands across the country. We have received good court orders, conducted raids, and executed successful cases. Some of our proudest moments were bringing fast redressal to our clients problems.
Which industry trends have created the most significant impact on brand protection and enforcement? How do you align Eludication Advocates & Legal Consultants with the evolving industry landscape?
The IP landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by digital transformation, globalization, and the rise of AI-generated content. One of the most significant industry trends impacting brand protection is the sheer speed and scale at which counterfeiting and infringement can now occur, especially online. e-Commerce platforms and social media have made it easier for bad actors to exploit brands, often across multiple jurisdictions, making enforcement more complex. IP conferences provide a platform for discussing problems and issues in the field. One such conference is the International Trademark Association (INTA), where I am involved in the anti-counterfeiting committee and the innovation and policy global project teams.
At Eludication Advocates & Legal Consultants, we’ve aligned ourselves with these evolving challenges by staying proactive. We invest heavily in staying ahead of legal developments, both local and international, and we’re continuously studying new IP laws and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, we believe brand protection is not just a legal issue, but a cultural one. That’s why we focus on educating clients and their teams to develop a shared understanding of IP value. This alignment helps ensure that brand protection is deeply integrated into their operations, not just treated as a reactive legal matter.
Navlin Swain, Managing Partner, Eludication Advocates & Legal Consultants
Navlin Swain, a trailblazer in IP and Trademark Protection, brings a diverse experience of dealing with innovative brand approach and creating brand awareness for companies. She has worked with various clients across numerous sectors resolving their counterfeiting issues.
