As a lawyer by day and travel blogger by night, Avanti Bakane has global perspective that allows for understanding of diverse viewpoints and the value of her clients’ time. Publicly traded and smaller companies alike retain Ms. Bakane in areas such as complex class action, antitrust, breach of contract, and general commercial litigation with a focus upon consumer class action defense.
As a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) and co-chair of the firm’s Cyber, Privacy & Data Security group, Avanti's practice consists of representing businesses and creative professionals in software and e-commerce development, data privacy, data loss, licensing, and copyright infringement disputes. Additionally, Avanti has experience representing clients in the cannabis space. With experience in federal and state courts across the country, she is a key asset in pre-suit negotiations, litigation, and compliance. She understands the importance of responsiveness, efficiency, and effective results to her clients.
Serving as co-chair of the firm’s South Asian Affinity Group and member of its Diversity Committee, Avanti also dedicates her time outside of the office to the community. She serves as an Advisory Board member for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Co-Chair of the Outreach & Inclusion Committee for the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, Chicago chapter and a member of Leading India's Future Today's (LIFT) Board of Governors. Avanti is a past President of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, past Honorary Board Member for the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago (AABA), and volunteers with several non-profit organizations to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth, end gender violence, and find homes for rescue dogs.
Prior to joining GRSM, Avanti was with a major law firm in Chicago. During law school, she served as an extern for two semesters to the Honorable Irwin J. Solganick, Law Division, Circuit Court of Cook County. Avanti also worked as a research assistant to DePaul Professors Steven H. Resnicoff and Song Richardson. She was a member of DePaul’s International Moot Court team for two years.
Avanti is proficient in Spanish and Marathi and was a consulting academic tutor for the University of Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica, where she tutored, translated and taught Spanish for International University students learning the language.
Admissions
- California
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Central and Southern Districts of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Memberships
- Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
- Chicago Chapter Co-Chair of the Outreach & Inclusion Committee (2021-2022)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC): Member
- Vice Chair of Publications for the Cyber Security, Data Privacy & Technology Committee (2020-2022)
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
- Advisory Board (2021-2022)
- VP of Communications (2018-2020)
- Central Regional Governor (2016–2018)
- Asian American Bar Association of Chicago
- Honorary Board Member (2016-2017)
- South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (formerly the Indian-American Bar Association of Chicago), Advisory Council member
- President (2015)
- President-Elect (2014)
Community Involvement
- Apna Ghar, Annual Taste for Life event, Host Committee (2014-2019), Volunteer (2010-present)
- Leading India's Future Today (LIFT Foundation)
- Board of Directors, Member (2018-2019)
- Associate Board of Directors, President (2017-2018)
- Cause for Paws, Volunteer (2008-present)