Kiran Desai has been elevated to the position of Vice President – India General Counsel at Netflix, marking a significant milestone in his legal career. Having been with the company for nearly six years, he has played a key role in leading business affairs, public policy, regulatory matters, and corporate legal functions. In his new role, he will continue to strengthen Netflix’s legal and compliance framework in India, ensuring smooth operations in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Prior to this elevation, Kiran Desai served as Senior Director – India General Counsel, where he contributed to Netflix’s expansion in India by overseeing crucial legal strategies. He also held the role of Director – Business and Legal Affairs, where he worked on media rights, intellectual property, and corporate governance matters. His expertise has been pivotal in shaping the company’s legal policies and ensuring regulatory adherence.
Before joining Netflix, Kiran Desai founded Desai & Partners, a law firm specializing in media and entertainment, intellectual property, and sports law. Under his leadership, the firm built a strong reputation in handling complex legal issues for clients in the entertainment industry. His entrepreneurial experience provided him with deep insights into the legal intricacies of content distribution and digital platforms.
He also gained valuable experience working with prominent law firms and legal chambers. He served as Counsel at the Chambers of Shyam Divan, where he focused on corporate and regulatory law. Additionally, he worked as an Associate at DSK Legal, handling commercial litigation and advisory services. These roles helped him develop a strong foundation in business law and legal advisory.
Kiran Desai holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he specialized in trademarks, antitrust, international environmental law, patents, and corporate law. He also earned an LL.B. from the University of Mumbai, laying the groundwork for his legal career. His academic background, combined with years of hands-on experience, has made him a recognized leader in corporate and entertainment law.
In his new position at Netflix, he will continue to drive legal strategies that align with the company’s business objectives in India. With the streaming industry facing evolving regulatory challenges, his expertise in media law and compliance will be instrumental in ensuring Netflix’s operations remain seamless and legally sound.
With a career spanning prestigious law firms, corporate legal roles, and entrepreneurship, Kiran Desai’s journey reflects his commitment to excellence in legal affairs. As he takes on greater responsibilities at Netflix, his leadership is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the company’s legal and regulatory framework in India’s dynamic entertainment sector.