Overview
Paavana Kumar helps major advertisers and retailers assess risk as they create compelling campaigns, run high-exposure promotions and streamline the online customer experience. She is a particular asset to clients seeking to leverage influencer talent, engage more creatively on social media, and reimagine their online e-commerce and subscription programs.
Paavana’s ability to assess problems and provide quick, efficient risk assessments enables her to partner effectively with companies across industries, especially those pursuing a deeper e-tail focus. She is a sounding board for C-suite executives and general counsel when making high-stakes judgment calls about social media opportunities, FTC disclosure requirements and major changes to their business models.
As many clients move toward subscription models, Paavana’s knowledge of the highly regulated automatic renewal and negative option laws across all 50 states enables her to help companies draft transparent marketing disclosures and design compliant user flows. She also advises on high-exposure consumer promotions, including sweepstakes, contests, loyalty rewards and gift cards, cause marketing and donation programs, text message and email marketing, and major entertainment and sports collaborations.
Whether she’s counseling on a discrete issue or working with global legal teams for clearance for an international campaign, Paavana delivers practical advice with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. She is a recognized thought leader who frequently speaks and writes about leading-edge e-commerce and influencer marketing topics for in-house counsel and industry stakeholders.
Paavana actively supports the firm’s recruiting efforts and enjoys mentoring summer associates.
Representative Experience
Partnered with a major fashion retailer on its global influencer and user-generated content social media promotions and drafted internal and external influencer marketing policies for use across international offices.
Helped a home security company transition from its door-to-door business model to an entirely online business model in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included creating e-commerce terms for its updated website, reviewing its online automatic renewal terms and sale disclosures, and advising on how the door-to-door and other home security laws impact its online businesses.
Structured a new subscription and automatic renewal program for a nationwide cosmetics subscription box service that experienced a surge in sales during the pandemic. Advised on a program that facilitates donations to charities benefitting first responders and other frontline workers, helping the client comply with charitable solicitation laws and associated registration requirements, including sign-up processes and disclosures.
Provided comprehensive advice to a major drone and technology manufacturer with respect to its planned roll-out of a potential direct-to-consumer racing drone. Advised the client on its terms and conditions and sales policies, as well as the regulatory landscape applicable to its e-commerce business, GDPR and other international privacy concerns, the use of brand ambassadors, fundraising via social platforms, and packaging and labeling.
Insights + Events
- Event New York City Bar Association | Marketing and Advertising Law: Social and Digital Media after a Year of Transformation
May 25, 2022
- Event Association of National Advertisers | Brand Activation Legal Committee Meeting Webinar
April 21, 2022
- Trends in Marketing Communications Law Now Streaming: The Rise of the at Home Theater and the Changing Model for Content Distribution
April 13, 2022
- Trends in Marketing Communications Law From TikTok to Clubhouse: Expect the FTC To Stay One Step Ahead
April 13, 2022
- Trends in Marketing Communications Law Safety First: Protecting Children in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape
April 13, 2022
- Event New York State Bar Association | Intellectual Property Law Section 2022 Annual Meeting
March 29, 2022
- Alert Zero Stars: FTC and NAD Will Not Permit Consumer Review Suppression
February 16, 2022
- Buy Now: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Online Retailing Negative Option Marketing
January 10, 2022
- Alert FTC To Focus on Subscription Services — Hints at Taking Action Against “Dark Patterns”
November 10, 2021
- Alert FTC Sends Notices to Businesses Promoting Money-Making Opportunities
October 28, 2021
- View More
Credentials
Education
- Columbia Law School (J.D., 2013)
- Member, Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Princeton University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2010)
Distinctions
- New York Metro Super Lawyers® “Rising Stars” 2017-2021, Media and Advertising
Bar Admissions
- New York
Associations
Member, Davis+Gilbert Mentoring and Professional Development Committee
Member, New York State Bar Association
Member, New York City Bar Association