Our Team
Kiranjit K. Dharsan Seiter
Managing Attorney
Kiran is the Managing Attorney of Seiter Legal Studio. She took over ownership of the firm after the passing of her beloved late husband, Bill. Admitted to practice in California and Singapore, Kiran has over 16 years of experience in the IP and trademark field. Specifically for the United States, she has over 8 years of experience in handling U.S. trademark cases. She gained a lot of her knowledge and experience about the U.S. trademark rules from Bill while working under his supervision and alongside him as his wife and partner. It is because of all she learned from Bill that she is able to manage and handle the firm’s portfolio of U.S. trademark cases today. As Managing Attorney, she also focuses her time on overseeing the operations of the firm, business development, and client relationship management.
Kiran is also the Managing Partner of Seiter IP Consultants LLP and Managing Director of Dharsan Seiter Law Corporation, both based in Singapore.
She is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA).
Education
Bachelors of Law (LL.B (Honors), University of London
Admissions
United States, State Bar of California
Singapore, Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court
United Kingdom, Barrister-at-Law with the Honourable Society of Middle Temple
Qualifications
16 years' experience in the Trademark and IP industry
Languages
English
Malay
Punjabi
Basic Mandarin
Professional Affiliations and Appointments
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Member, Santa Monica Bar Association (SMBA)
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Member, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association (LAIPLA)
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Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
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Member, International Trademark Association (INTA)
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Member, European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA)
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Vice-Chair, INTA Nontraditional Marks Committee (2014-2015)
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Chair, Asia-Pacific Subcommittee of INTA Nontraditional Mark (2012-2013)
Marni Hj. Afandi
Senior Trademark Portfolio Manager
As the Senior Trademark Portfolio Manager of the firm, Marni oversees its operations and manages the trademark and design portfolios of our clients domestically and internationally. She has been working in the IP industry for over 7 years, having worked her way up from a secretarial role when she first began her career to her managerial role today.
Her areas of expertise include filing trademark applications, trademark prosecution, liaising, communicating, preparing, and drafting reports for contentious matters such as oppositions, cancellations, and invalidations. She is also responsible for training the firm's paralegals and administrative staff.
Education
The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Advanced level)
Qualifications
At least 25 years' experience in the Trademark and IP industry
Languages
English
Malay
Oleksandra Gaidukova
Trademark Administrator
Oleksandra is a Trademark Administrator of the firm. She joined the firm in February 2019, having moved to California from Ukraine in 2018.
In Ukraine, she worked with the firm MSP International as a trademark search specialist and liaised with domestic clients regularly. In years of experience, Oleksandra worked with clients from Eastern European countries, in various specialized industries. Her strengths are multi-tasking, critical thinking, integrity, accuracy, problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude.
Education
Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Master’s in international economics
Qualifications
5 years' experience in the Trademark and IP industry
Languages
English
Russian
Ukrainian
Alishia Frändén
Business Development Manager
Partner specialised in criminal law
Alishia is known for wearing many hats throughout her career, all of which have been deeply rooted in helping the people around her. She has a deep passion for business development and works in areas of pricing, sales, channel management, go-to-market strategy, commercial productivity, and business strategy. With over 13 years of working independently, Alishia is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of being a serial entrepreneur. She holds a good sense of market demand and quickly grasps the dynamics of any industry that lands on her desk. From creating strategies to move products or creating brands that remain competitive in their respective landscapes, no task is too great as she demonstrates the ability to get the job done whilst maintaining positive client experiences.
She has been part of the Seiter team since August 2020 and has contributed tremendously to the growth of the firm and its clients, with her innovative marketing and business development ideas. Alishia is a great asset to the company.
Education
Bachelor of Communications, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Languages
English
Built on relationships. Aligned for excellence.