Pallavi Mehta Wahi
Pallavi Mehta Wahi is the managing partner of the firm's Seattle office. Until recently, she also served as the co-US managing partner of our 25 offices in the United States. She frequently represents national and international clients in complex commercial litigation matters and works closely with many Fortune 50 corporations and other companies worldwide, representing their interests with an emphasis on corporate, health care, and technology issues. She has argued before various tribunals and courts in hearings and at trial with success. Pallavi has represented clients across the country in multiple jurisdictions in commercial and intellectual property disputes. She also acts as the trusted advisor and litigator for several clients across a wide range of jurisdictions, countries, and business matter areas. She represents some of the largest household brands in the world on a regular basis as their trusted and strategic advisor. Pallavi's representative clients include, T-Mobile, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Smartsheet, BECU, Google, and many others.
Pallavi is ranked in Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial in Washington State. She also has been named to the Washington Super Lawyers list for Business Litigation for many years; the “IP Stars” list published by Managing Intellectual Property in the US and Washington State categories; and recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation and Litigation – IP categories. She has also been recognized by the Legal 500 US for commercial litigation. She has been included in “The A-List: International,” a list of the top India-focused lawyers at international law firms for many years, compiled by The Indian Business Law Journal.
Pallavi has also been named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in the US by editors and writers across The Business Journals’ network of more than 40 publications. She was recently named the 2024 MCCA Rainmaker for her contributions and commitment to client service by the Minority Corporate Counsel. For many years, she has been honored with inclusion in the Puget Sound Business Journal's “Power 100,” a spotlight on the 100 most influential business leaders in the Puget Sound area. The Puget Sound Business Journal also recognized her as a “Woman of Influence” and a member of the first-ever group of 40 Under 40 “All-Stars.” She was also selected as one of the Most Influential People of 2021 by Seattle Magazine.
Pallavi was also named to the fifth annual “Power List” by Lawyers of Color which recognizes the most influential minority attorneys and allies in the nation. She was included in the inaugural “Nation's Best” List, also published by Lawyers of Color, which recognizes noteworthy accomplishments and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. She was selected by the National Diversity Council as one of Washington's “Top 15 Business Women” and selected to the Indian Corporate Counsel Association's “Most Trusted Corporate Lawyers” list. She is also a past recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the King County Bar Association.
Pallavi is an experienced and well-known litigator in the local and national arena and business community. She is a passionate advocate for the Seattle community and the people and companies who help it thrive. In 2022, she was appointed to the Seattle Branch Board of Directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to represent the interests of the 12th Reserve District and help the Board fulfill its policy and operational responsibilities. She also serves on the board of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and recently served as the Chair of that board. She is also an active member of the International Women's Forum.
Pallavi has served on the firm's management committee in a variety of roles. From 2015 to 2024 she served on the the firmwide management committee and also served as the chair of the firmwide diversity committee from 2017 to 2023. She also served as the co-US managing partner for five years from 2019 to 2024.
Prior to joining the firm, Pallavi was associated with the Seattle firm of Stokes Lawrence P.S. She was also a Rule 6 law clerk to the Hon. Commissioner William H. Ellis at the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I.
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property in Seattle, 2022-2025
- Named by The Women We Admire as a Top 50 Women Leaders of Washington list for 2024
- Named a 2024 MCCA Rainmaker by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, 2024
- Betty Binns Fletcher Award, Seattle Women in Profession Committee, 2024
- Selected to Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2023, 2024
- Puget Sound Business Journal's “Power 100”, - the 100 most influential business leaders in the Puget Sound area, 2023
- Puget Sound Business Journal Director of the Year Award, Seattle, 2023
- Named to “The A List: International”, a list of the top India-focused lawyers at international firms, compiled by The India Business Law Journal, 2019-2024
- Recognized for Contributions to the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession by the American Bar Association (ABA), Business Law Section, Women Business Advocates Subcommittee, 2023
- Selected to Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2023
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for General Commercial Disputes, 2023-2024
- Selected to the Washington Super Lawyers list, 2017-2023
- Recognized in Women We Admire's "The Top 50 Women Leaders of Washington for 2022."
- Selected for inclusion in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Power 100,” a spotlight on the 100 most influential business leaders in the Puget Sound area, 2019-2022
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial in Washington, 2016-2024; Recognized Practitioner, 2017-2019
- Selected as one of the Most Influential People of 2021 by Seattle Magazine, 2021
- Named to the “IP Stars” list by Managing Intellectual Property in the United States and Washington categories, 2016-2023
- Selected for inclusion in Acritas Stars, a database of more than 13,000 client-nominated, stand-out lawyers in private practice
- Named to Lawyers of Color's Power List, which is presented with the support of the Diverse Partners Network and recognizes the most influential minority general counsel, managing partners, and law school deans, as well as legal media and nonprofit leaders in the nation, 2019, 2020
- Named to Lawyers of Color’s Inaugural “Nation’s Best” List which recognizes noteworthy accomplishments and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, 2019
- Featured in “Women Who Lead” special report by the Puget Sound Business Journal, 2019
- Selected as one of the “Women of Influence” by the Puget Sound Business Journal, 2018
- Included in “The Influencers: Law” list, a spotlight on 100 attorneys across the nation who are having an impact on business and legal matters in their communities, published by The Business Journals, 2018
- Recognized in the first-ever group of 40 Under 40 “All-Stars” by the Puget Sound Business Journal, 2018
- Selected to the Indian Corporate Counsel Association's Most Trusted Corporate Lawyers list, 2017
- Selected by the National Diversity Council as one of Washington’s “Top 15 Business Women,” 2017
- Recognized as one of “Washington’s Top 20 Business Women,” by Washington Diversity Council and the National Women’s Council, 2016
- Featured in Minority Powerbrokers Q&A by Law360, 2015
- First Woman President of the South Asian Bar Association of Washington
- Selected to serve a three-year term as lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit for the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- Recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the King County Bar Association
- Director, Seattle Branch Board of Directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
- Immediate Past Chair, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (Chair 2022-2023), current member of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- Member, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Community Development Roundtable (CDRT)
- Member, Industry Advisory Board, Global Business Law Institute at the University of Washington School of Law
- Member, International Women’s Forum
- Past Member, Board of Directors, Woodland Park Zoo, Executive Committee
- Past Member, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, King County Bar Association
- Past Member, Board of Trustees, King County Bar Foundation
- Past Member, Advisory Board of Directors, Washington Council on International Trade - Seattle (2017-2021)
- Past Member, Advisory Board, South Asian Bar Association of Washington (past president and first woman president) (2013-2021)
- Past Trustee, Seattle Repertory Theatre (2015-2018)
- Past Member, Board of Trustees, Washington State Bar Association Young Lawyer Division (King County Trustee, 2005-2008)
- Past Member, Washington State Young Lawyer Division Committee for Diversity (Chair 2005-2006, Co-Chair 2006-2007)
- Chaya, South Asian domestic violence prevention organization (Board Member (2001-2005), Auction Chair (2003) and Auction Co-Chair (2004)
- Keynote Conversation Participant, “In Dialogue with Women Who Lead,” Women’s Professional Network, Federal Reserve Bank of Francisco, 26 March 2024
- Panelist, “Risk Management Fundamentals: Building an Enterprise Risk Management Framework,” ALM Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards 2023, New Orleans, LA, 17 October 2023
- Panelist, “Navigating the Legal Landscape: Empowering Businesses for Transnational Success,” Seattle-Setu Conference, Seattle University, 6 September 2023
- Speaker, “Wonder of Women International” Reception & Dinner, WOW Museum & Gallery, 23 May 2023
- Keynote Speaker, King County Bar Association Spring New Attorney Swearing-in Ceremony, Washington State Superior Court, 20 April 2023
- Speaker, “How Public Engagement Supports the Federal Reserve's Mission” Seattle Chamber Community Development Roundtable Meeting, 28 February 2023
- Speaker, “The Role of DEI in Workplace Success,” Women@NetBrain Seminar, 18 January 2023
- Keynote Conversation participant, annual Technology Alliance State of Technology Luncheon presented by Tech Alliance, Seattle, 11 May 2022
- Panelist, “How the Federal Reserve Works for You”, presented by International Women's Forum -WA, Seattle, 18 April 2022.
- Panelist, “Bringing It All Together”, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Regional Leadership Conference, 25 March 2022
- Panelist, “The Evolution of Women in Leadership,” presented by Community Development Roundtable, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Seattle, 7 March 2022
- Panelist, DEI Lunch Event, Weyerhaeuser, Seattle, 24 August 2021
- Panelist, “Stopping Asian Hate," part of the World Trade Center Seattle's Can We Talk? Series, presented by the Port of Seattle, 27 May 2021
- Keynote Speaker, All Employees at Foot Locker, Inc. “Love Us Like You Love Our Culture” corporate town hall addressing self-doubt and tactical strategies to empower oneself and others, 18 May 2021
- Panelist, International Women’s Forum, Washington Chapter. Presentation and discussion – Year in Review with IWF WA Leaders: Business and Industry, How 2020 has affected broad sectors of our community, 7 December 2020
- Panelist, Seattle Metro Chamber’s Regional Leadership Conference 2020: A Competitive, Equitable and Resilient Region: What does it mean for our region’s economy to be resilient? 22 October 2020
- Opening remarks, South Asian Bar Association of North America Leadership Retreat Welcome Reception, 25 September 2020
- Moderator, Facetime with Rachel Gonzalez, EVP, General Counsel and Secretary for Starbucks Coffee Company, hosted by Young Jewish Professionals, 5 August 2020
- Panelist, Women In Law Dialogue series: Is COVID-19 taking Women Lawyers' careers back to the 1950's? hosted by The Law Society, 6 August 2020
- Panelist, “Action From the Top: A conversation with law firm leaders about implementing positive change” hosted by Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, 8 July 2020
- Panelist, Elevating Women Virtual Event: “Create Success in the midst of a Crisis”, hosted by Northern Trust, 24 June 2020
- Panelist, Global Lawyers' Colloquium, “Diversity in the Legal Profession & Judiciary: What’s the Hope for the Future?” International Webinar, 23 May 2020
- Panelist, Celebrating Success: The Elevation of Women to Leadership Positions in Big Law presented by Women in Law Empowerment Forum, Chicago, 4 November 2019
- Panelist, Fostering Diversity and a Culture of Inclusion within Legal Leadership at Women, Diversity & Change Summit, Seattle, 14 November 2019
- Panelist, Emerging Through Bias in the Legal Profession: Gender and the Legal Profession - Washington Leadership Institute Session III “The Nuts and Bolts of Law Practice”, Seattle, 22 March 2019
- Panelist, “#BalanceForBetter” International Women’s Day panel, UWKC Emerging Leaders Speaker Series, Seattle, 6 March 2019
- Keynote Speaker, “When Saying Yes IS the Best Plan”, Women’s Business Exchange, Seattle, 14 February 2019
- Panelist, “Building Client Relationships - Do You Have What it Takes?”, Chiefs in IP (ChIPs) Pacific Northwest Chapter, Seattle, 18 September 2018
- Keynote speaker, WSBA Diversity and Inclusion Celebration! CLE - The Path Forward, Seattle, 6 June 2018
- Panelist, Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) "Emerging Through Bias in the Legal Profession", Seattle, 23 March 2018
- Panelist, “Dean’s Leadership Panel”, University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, 20 September 2017
- Panelist, “Beyond the Dialogue, Women, Race and Age Part 2: The Role of Allies,” WSBA Diversity Program and Washington Women Lawyers, Seattle, 8 June 2017
- Panelist, “Global Biz: Staying Ahead in Changing Times," Washington Trade Conference: The Outlook for the 2017 Trade Agenda, Seattle, 13 March 2017
- Speaker, 2016 ASIL Midyear Meeting - International Trade Seminar, Seattle, 10 November 2016
- Speaker, “Mediation Strategies,” Chiefs in IP (ChIPs) Pacific Northwest Chapter, Seattle, 10 May 2016
- Speaker, "India’s IP and Innovation Policies," University of Washington School of Law and National Bureau of Asian Research Workshop, Seattle, 10 April 2015
- Co-author, Washington Lawyer’s Practice Manual, Evidence Chapter (2020–present)
- "Opinion: It's time for lawyers to lead," Puget Sound Business Journal, 23 September 2021
- Opinion piece, “I Am Proud to Lead as My Authentic Self,” Puget Sound Business Journal, April 2021
- “Top 5 Summer Tips: Navigating Racial Diversity,” LexisNexis Summer Associate Resource Kit, July 2020
- “Investing In India? Time To Rethink Structures,” Law360, 3 June 2016
- Co-author, "Internet Law Chapter," Washington Lawyer’s Practice Manual, 2010
- Co-author, "Protecting Your Online Brand," presented at the National South Asian Bar Association Annual Convention, 29 June 2007
- Co-author, "Navigating the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy," Chapter 4, WSBA 11th Annual Intellectual Property Institute, Cutting Edge Updates, Opportunities and Issues, March 2006
- Mentioned in "T-Mobile CEO on SpaceX deal, diversity, and more from interview at Seattle Chamber event" in GeekWire.com, 22 September 2022
- Mentioned in "Bouncing Back" in the India Business Law Journal, 5 August 2022
- Listed among “The 2022 International A-List” in the India Business Law Journal, April 2022
- Featured in "'This is our time for action': How Pallavi Mehta Wahi sets the tone for community engagement at K&L Gates" article by the Puget Sound Business Journal, March 2022
- Featured interview in Americas Women Magazine (Seattle Edition), November 2020
- Featured profile in King County Bar Bulletin, August 2020
- Featured in “Women Who Lead” special report by the Puget Sound Business Journal, April 2019
- Interview, “How This K&L Gates Attorney Overcame Discrimination, Self-doubt on Her Way to the Top,” Puget Sound Business Journal, 21 August 2017
- Featured in Minority Powerbrokers Q&A by Law360, January 2015
