Based in California, Shiva has a global regulatory and international trade practice. Shiva leads Akin’s international trade group in California, which she founded, and serves as co-head of the firm’s technology sector group.

Shiva has won the highest honors. Most recently, she was ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Export Controls & Economic Sanctions by Chambers USA. She has also been named among the Leaders of Influence and Women of Influence by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The publication noted Shiva’s leadership in the firm’s “renowned international trade practice—one of only a few such practices in the Western U.S.”

The American Lawyer named Shiva as one of its West Trailblazers, singling out “agents of change in their respective practice areas.” The Diversity Journal listed Shiva as among the Asian Leaders Worth Watching.

Shiva is a trusted and strategic advisor to the world’s leading companies, with a particular focus on assisting technology companies navigate evolving national security laws related to artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.

For more than 20 years, Shiva has provided comprehensive advice to technology and defense companies on U.S. export controls & sanctions laws, including as related to AI and data centers, ITAR consent agreements, subpoenas and other high-stakes matters. In addition, Shiva advises clients on export control requirements, helps to audit their current programs and enhance compliance processes to meet government expectations.

Shiva routinely leads government investigations and develops practical and actionable export compliance programs on behalf of Akin’s major clients. Shiva also assists clients in other white collar defense & government investigations matters as related to export controls & sanctions. Alongside Akin colleagues who previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in California, Shiva also advises on enforcement and voluntary disclosures.

As co-head of Akin’s technology group, Shiva has a leading-edge practice at the intersection of emerging technology, regulation and capital. She helps companies facing new regulations and restrictions as related to privacy & data protection, AI and data centers, quantum computing and cryptocurrency, among other areas.

Beyond her client work, Shiva chairs Akin’s Women Firmwide Resource Group in Los Angeles. In this role, she helped facilitate a mentoring program and developed the California Women’s Initiative, a series of events that bring women lawyers together across the firm’s West Coast offices.