Overview

Tara is a strategic patent litigator and regulatory counselor with deep experience guiding life sciences, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, technology and other innovation‑driven companies through the legal, operational and regulatory complexities that arise across the full product‑development lifecycle. Her practice spans complex patent litigation, portfolio strategy, regulatory counseling, opinion work and diligence, with particular strength at the intersection of patent law, agency frameworks and commercial strategy.

Tara advises both clinical‑stage and commercial‑stage companies on how to build, protect and position their assets while navigating evolving regulatory and compliance requirements. In the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, her work includes matters under the Hatch‑Waxman Amendments, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA), controlled‑substance handling, REMS‑related considerations, data‑integrity and documentation practices, and aligning IP strategy with development‑phase and exclusivity goals. Outside the pharmaceutical arena, Tara regularly counsels and represents clients in protecting, defending and commercializing innovations in fields such as agrochemicals, crop protection technologies, lighting and LED systems, software and digital platforms, and chemical and materials engineering.

As a litigator, Tara brings rigorous patent analysis, regulatory fluency and practical business judgment to each engagement. Tara has led teams through all stages of litigation—from pre‑suit investigations and strategic case development to trial, appeal and post‑grant proceedings before federal district courts, the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Her experience includes managing complex fact and expert discovery, taking and defending key depositions, drafting and arguing dispositive motions, and examining witnesses at trial.

Clients rely on Tara not only for her command of patent and regulatory law but also for her ability to operate as a cross‑functional strategic partner. She works closely with clinical, regulatory, CMC, quality, engineering, product and executive teams to anticipate litigation and regulatory risks, ensure alignment between scientific or technical development and external communications, and build IP and documentation frameworks that withstand scrutiny from competitors, investors and regulators. She advises on patent portfolio development, freedom‑to‑operate assessments, licensing strategy, regulatory exclusivity positioning and the IP components of transactions and development‑stage collaborations.

Whether supporting an emerging company preparing for pivotal studies, assisting a pharmaceutical or agrochemical manufacturer bring a product to market, helping a technology company protect or defend against a hardware or software platform, or guiding any manufacturer through a competitive IP landscape, Tara brings clear judgment, disciplined execution and a balanced understanding of scientific, technical, legal and commercial priorities. Her integrated litigation, IP and regulatory perspective enables companies across industries to advance innovation with confidence while protecting long‑term asset value.

Experience

*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.

Credentials

Education

University of Illinois College of Law, 2003, Juris Doctor
  • Journal of Law, Technology, & Policy (2001-03), Notes Editor (2002-03)
University of Illinois – Chicago, 2000, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, High Distinction, and Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Highest Distinction
  • Phi Beta Kappa, 1999
  • College Honors, Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2000

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

More

  • South Asian Bar Association of North America, 2022-2023 Past President, Advisory Council
  • South Asian Bar Association of North America Foundation, Trustee
  • South Asian Bar Association of Chicago, Advisory Council, Past President 2008
  • Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam (Indian Classical Music and Dance Organization), Board Member
  • Recipient, Cornerstone Award, South Asian Bar Association of North America, 2025 
  • Recipient, Vanguard Award, Chicago Bar Association, 2024
  • Listed, Illinois Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2013-2018
  • Listed, Top Woman Attorneys in Illinois, Chicago Magazine, 2013