Saira Alikhan
Attorney at Law
Illinois
IL
About
upcounsel
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"Saira is an incredibly smart, diligent, and hardworking lawyer. I first worked with her professionally in 2016 related to a music licensing company I was trying to buy in a bankruptcy liquidation auction. I brought Saira on to fill a vital role as in-house counsel. I was impressed by her knowledge of intellectual property rights law and music publishing coupled with her deep experience as a litigator. With her on the team I was able to raise the necessary funds from a group of seasoned investors to participate in the auction. Ultimately the buyer paid more than we thought the assets were worth, so we all moved on to other projects. I was so impressed with Saira after working with her on the music licensing company matter that I hired her this year to help me set up a new company and serve as primary counsel. She has helped with vendor contracts, revenue share agreements, forming an LLC, updating investor docs, advice on intellectual property issues, our privacy policy, and more. I look forward to working with her in the future. I strongly recommend Saira."
"Saira is an incredibly smart, diligent, and hardworking lawyer. I first worked with her professionally in 2016 related to a music licensing company I was trying to buy in a bankruptcy liquidation auction. I brought Saira on to fill a vital role as in-house counsel. I was impressed by her knowledge of intellectual property rights law and music publishing coupled with her deep experience as a litigator. With her on the team I was able to raise the necessary funds from a group of seasoned investors to participate in the auction. Ultimately the buyer paid more than we thought the assets were worth, so we all moved on to other projects. I was so impressed with Saira after working with her on the music licensing company matter that I hired her this year to help me set up a new company and serve as primary counsel. She has helped with vendor contracts, revenue share agreements, forming an LLC, updating investor docs, advice on intellectual property issues, our privacy policy, and more. I look forward to working with her in the future. I strongly recommend Saira."
Work History
Get Loud Now
General Counsel
Mar 2017 - Present
Provide all legal services for a technology start-up company with a political activism mission. Draft contracts for employment including executive compensation, operating agreements, founder’s agreements, artist agreements, white label agreements and SAAS agreements. Advise senior management regarding minimizing business risk and legal implications.
SJA Law Group
Founder
Oct 2015 - Present
Solo practice focused on providing affordable entertainment and business legal services to musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and small businesses. Secure and protect intellectual property ownership rights though trademark and copyright registration, enforcement, and third party oppositions. Draft and review contracts for services and agreements regarding music ownership and licensing.
Amin Talati & Upadhye
Associate
Jun 2013 - Oct 2015
Represented plaintiff and defendant, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and cosmetic and clothing manufacturer litigants in all aspects of trademark and commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, trademark/trade dress infringement, unfair competition, and false advertisement claims in state courts, federal courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
State of Illinois, Office of Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
May 2009 - Jun 2013
Defended state of Illinois employees and agencies against Section 1983 actions involving alleged civil rights violations in Illinois federal courts. Counseled state departments regarding policy compliance and regulatory issues pertaining to state and federal law. Saved the state of Illinois millions of dollars with reasonable settlement agreements and favorable no-liability judgments.
Dentons
Associate
May 2008 - May 2009
Defended Fortune 500 corporations against employment discrimination and sexual harassment claims at the agency level and in federal courts. Counseled on a class action lawsuit involving the Age Discrimination in Employment Act for a fortune 500 company.
Doherty & Progar
Associate
Jul 2007 - Mar 2008
Represented insurance companies defending personal injury matters involving first and third party actions for premises liability, automobile liability in Illinois state courts. Defended small business companies in employment discrimination matters at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
City of Chicago
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Dec 2005 - Jul 2007
Represented the City of Chicago in prosecution of employee and police officer discipline, misconduct and termination hearings and employment discrimination claims. Solely conducted over 30 administrative evidentiary hearings with successful results. Defended City of Chicago departments in employment discrimination matters.