Pallavi Wahi

Practice Areas

Pallavi Mehta Wahi is the Managing Partner of the Seattle office and Co-Managing Partner of the United States for K&L Gates. She is Chair of the Firmwide Diversity Committee and a member of the Management Committee. Pallavi frequently represents 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 and technology issues. She has argued before various tribunals and courts in hearings and at trial with success. She 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.

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 U.S. and Washington State categories; and recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation and Litigation – IP categories. She is similarly included in “The A-List: International,” a list of the top India-focused lawyers at international law firms, compiled by The Indian Business Law Journal, and is an active member of the International Women's Forum.

Pallavi has also been named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in the U.S. by editors and writers across The Business Journals’ network of more than 40 publications. 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. 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 is currently serving as the Chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce Board and is a passionate advocate for the Seattle business community and the people and companies who help it thrive.

Professional Memberships

Director, Seattle Branch Board of Directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Chair, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Member, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Community Development Roundtable (CDRT)

Member, Board of Directors, Woodland Park Zoo, Executive Committee

Member, Industry Advisory Board, Global Business Law Institute at the University of Washington School of Law

Member, International Women’s Forum

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)

Publications

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

Education