Ashima Dayal

Ashima Dayal

New York, NY recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020
Davis+Gilbert LLP

24 Best Lawyers awards

Davis+Gilbert LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Advertising Law Copyright Law

Biography

Ashima Dayal has more than 25 years of experience guiding clients through legal challenges in their media and marketing activities. She works closely with book and magazine publishers, authors, filmmakers, consumer goods companies, advertising agencies, designers and other individual creative professionals to protect their content and defend their use of third-party material when disputes arise.

Ashima’s clients need practical answers. When considering the use of third-party content in a book, film, commercial or other production, she weighs legal issues against business realities. Her thorough, meticulous research informs tailored and concise responses that equip busy in-house teams to make smart decisions. She understands the vast difference between whether a proposed action is permissible and whether it’s advisable, and helps clients quantify the real risk at hand.

When claims arise, publishers, authors, filmmakers, consumer goods companies and advertising agencies benefit from Ashima’s effectiveness in guiding clients through copyright, right of publicity and defamation disputes. She draws on her knowledge and experience to position clients to act efficiently and strategically. Her skillful negotiation tactics settle claims favorably; in fact, she’s been known to shut down claims with a single masterful letter.

Before becoming a lawyer, Ashima gained invaluable television and film industry insight working for a network news division, a network marketing division, and an entertainment PR company. Her academic background in art history gives her an edge when advising clients on the risks posed by their art-infused creative content, and when defending copyright claims.

Davis+Gilbert LLP

24 Best Lawyers awards

Davis+Gilbert LLP logo

Overview

  • Columbia University, J.D., graduated 1996

  • New York, New York State Bar Association

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
  • Columbia University, J.D., graduated 1996
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Client Testimonials

I feel I must call out the exceptional contributions of Ashima Dayal at Davis+Gilbert. She has become an invaluable resource, not just to me personally, but to our entire business. Ashima's approachable nature and ability to provide clear and concise counsel is invaluable in helping our team to navigate the daily grind or wrangle complex issues with confidence. Beyond her own lane, Ashima is always quick to help us identify the right contacts when needs arise outside her area of expertise, ensuring that we receive seamless and expert support across all facets of our business. Her intelligence, dedication, and proactive approach have made her an indispensable part of our daily operations. Ashima's role is not merely supportive; she has become an integrated and essential component of our business, contributing significantly to our ongoing success and growth.

Shawn Brown (500 Degrees Studio)

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Advertising Law
  • Copyright Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
  • First Amendment Law
  • Media Law

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