Barbie’s IP Journey to Movie Magic

Ritu Mahajan has been with Public Counsel for 13 years and brings impressive expertise, dedication, and assion to this leadership role. During her time at Public Counsel, Ritu has engaged in direct legal services, litigation, and policy advocacy to help create healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities and build power in communities of color. Like many of the clients she serves, Ritu’s parents are immigrant small business owners. They opened and operated one of the first Indian restaurants in Artesia, California, and she has experienced firsthand the struggles faced by many immigrant-owned, family-run small businesses. Her deep empathy and understanding of the clients and the communities we serve will be one of her greatest strengths as Directing Attorney.

Tanya Acker is a civil litigator by trade and deeply passionate about the law and its ability to make a difference in people’s lives. While a student at Yale Law School, she represented low-income women in family law cases and served as a teaching assistant in Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure courses. Tanya also gained experience at the Office of White House Counsel, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and in private law firms. She worked on projects such as assisting President Clinton’s personal lawyers with press interviews, preparing Congressional testimony for pending product liability legislation, and researching First Amendment issues, an area she is particularly passionate about.

Jonathan Anschell is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Mattel. He joined Mattel in 2021. In his role, Mr. Anschell oversees all legal responsibilities for Mattel’s operations and transactions, as well as corporate governance, securities, intellectual property, litigation, and privacy. He also is responsible for compliance and government affairs.