“It is a true honor to be selected among an amazing group of legal professionals recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business,” Bhargava said. “These are very accomplished lawyers with incredible talent who are outstanding pillars in their community and profession. I am proud that my work at Reed Smith places me among them.”
As a co-lead of the AI section within the firm’s Emerging Technologies practice, Bhargava focuses on the convergence of advertising and use of AI technologies. She helps consumers, brands, advertising agencies, publishers, media and technology companies navigate compliance and legal risks, including the development, implementation and use of AI technologies.
Bhargava also advises on advertising and privacy issues and on enterprise-wide compliance with global privacy laws and regulations, assisting with advertising compliance, implementation of new marketing technologies, interactive and digital media, and data management and monetization strategies.
“Nikki is a highly talented star in the entertainment and media as well as emerging technologies groups,” said Jennifer Yule DePriest, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Chicago office. “We are delighted that Crain’s Chicago Business has selected her for this well-deserved recognition. She is a remarkable asset to our office, firm and community.”
Bhargava’s successes include leading a team in the implementation of a retail media network for one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. She helped it establish its new business initiative by supporting it on partner relationships, developing internal and external policies, troubleshooting internal workflows and processes, strategizing on innovative legal solutions to achieve business objectives and navigating compliance with numerous regulations.
In addition, Bhargava is a leader of the firm’s Pacific & Asian American inclusion group, where she works to promote the interests of Asian-American talent within the firm and community, as well as serving as a mentor to other diverse attorneys.
She earned her J.D. in 2008, magna cum laude, from University of Illinois College of Law.