He supervised analytical exercises to examine the relationship between intellectual property rights (IPRs) and various economic variables; implemented programs to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in making strategic use of intellectual property for development; facilitated strategic dialogues at the international level on issues of public policy; and coordinated the process for establishing and implementing the WIPO Development Agenda. Mr. Rai has also worked in the WIPO Worldwide Academy.

Before joining WIPO in 1999, as a member of the Indian Administrative Service, Mr. Rai worked for several years at the policy formulation and implementation levels in India. His last appointment in the Government of India was Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industry, in which capacity he also supervised the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. He was responsible for preparing the legislative proposals for amending India’s IP laws to conform to obligations arising out of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and other requirements, and initiated major projects for modernizing and strengthening the country’s IP administration. He was the Secretary of the National Expert Group on IPRs; Chairman of the National Committee for Amendment of Patent Rules; Project Director for modernization of the Patent Information Services and Trade Marks Registry; Member Secretary, Foreign Investment Promotion Council; Alternate Director for India at the Asian Productivity Organization; and Nodal Officer for India for two TRIPS disputes at the World Trade Organization. He also represented India in many bilateral and multilateral economic and trade negotiations for several years.

Mr. Rai has lectured extensively in various parts of the world on different aspects of intellectual property.

Mr. Rai has a Ph.D. in IPRs from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; a postgraduate degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, USA; and bachelor and postgraduate degrees in Economics from the University of Lucknow, India.

Neil is currently advising a number of New Zealand and offshore clients with the tax aspects of investment transactions and asset disposals. He advises a number of the firm’s clients with the development of new business structures and products. He regularly assists clients with tax investigations, binding and non-binding ruling applications and tax risk reviews. Neil is involved in tax policy, and is frequently dealing with Inland Revenue and treasury officials in relation to proposed law changes.

Neil is a member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Fiscal Association, LawAsia, Taxation Institute of Australia and the New Zealand Law Society's Taxation Committee. He is listed as a leading tax practitioner in Chambers Global, and one of only 4 New Zealand individuals listed in the Tax Directors' Handbook 2010.

When not in the office, Neil enjoys spending time with his family, and triathlon. Neil has twice competed at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Ms. Sen advises various Indian and multinational clients such as Deloitte, BMW, Starwood, Sumitomo Electric, GE Energy, Shinmaywa Group of Companies, Rosenberger, Jindal Group of companies, Areva, VKR Holding, Sudchemie AG, being a few. Ms. Sen’s core area of expertise lies in advising, structuring and documentation on inbound and outbound acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, power, engineering services, IT industry, construction and infrastructure.

She regularly addresses professional Conferences in India and overseas and is well known as a regular contributor to leading financial newspapers and journals in India. She writes a fortnightly column on business law in the Business Standard, a leading financial daily in India. She is a Member of the Committee of Corporate Law and Legal Affairs of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).

She has advised a major airline in India in finalizing commercial contracts relating to purchase of aircrafts and components including engines, in flight equipments, satellite and communication services etc. She has assisted the airline in negotiating all kinds of leasing including operating leases, negotiating cargo and ground handling contracts with various airport authorities, etc.

Rupali’s infrastructure practice includes advising clients on road, bridge and
other infrastructure projects. Her expertise covers full spectrum of delivery
methodologies and financing structure including BOT, DBFOT and their variants,
drafting of tender documents including the concession agreement, legal
evaluation of bidders, negotiation with bidders etc. Her recent infrastructure work
includes providing legal consultancy to a public sector undertaking regarding
development of a trans-harbor sea link in Mumbai on DBFOT basis.

In addition to the above, her practice includes corporate structuring, mergers &
acquisitions, joint ventures, foreign collaborations, technology transfers, banking
and financial laws. She regularly advises clients in diverse sectors on entry
strategy, business formation, issues arising out of company law, foreign
exchange laws, insurance laws and commercial contracts.

She has previously worked with reputed law firms based in Delhi and Mumbai
where in addition to the above she has handled litigation and arbitration matters.