Chicago Partner Avanti Bakane has been named to Crain's list of Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting & Law for 2019. Bakane was featured among 56 professionals, many of whom overcame obstacles and bias to rise to the top of their fields.
"I am proud to be among such talented and outstanding professionals whose work and efforts are expanding diversity and inclusion in the workplace now and in the future," said Bakane.
The professionals named to this year's list of Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting & Law have been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion at their firms. Their efforts have helped recruit and retain minority candidates and prepare them for leadership. They mentor young colleagues and seek out students at their alma maters and other area schools. Notably, these professionals also give back to their communities, with a particular focus on minority members living in poverty.
As a lawyer, Certified Information Privacy Professional, and world traveler, Bakane has global perspective that allows for understanding of diverse viewpoints. She serves 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 VP of Communications for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and a member of Leading India's Future Today's (LIFT) Board of Governors. Bakane is a past President of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Chicago, past Honorary Board Member for the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago (AABA), and volunteers with several non-profit organizations that provide opportunities for underprivileged youth, end gender violence, and find homes for rescue dogs.
In her legal practice, Bakane provides legal counsel to publicly traded and smaller companies in areas such as complex class action, antitrust, breach of contract, and general commercial litigation with a focus on consumer class action defense. Her practice also includes representing businesses and creative professionals in software and e-commerce development, data privacy, data loss, licensing, and copyright infringement disputes. With experience in federal and state courts across the country, Bakane is a key asset in pre-suit negotiations, litigation, and compliance. She understands the importance of responsiveness, efficiency, and effective results to her clients.