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Gigi Tewari

Gigi Tewari

gtewari@cleveland-co.comLinkedIn

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New York and Wilmington, Delaware; United States
Qualified in New York
15+ years of experience
English · Conversational Hindi

Areas of Expertise

Corporate and Commercial

Strengths

Communication, creative thinking, and collaboration

Values

Empathy and kindness

Passions

Tennis, swimming, and baking

Gigi (Geeta) Tewari is a Director at Cleveland & Co, advising on corporate and commercial matters with a particular focus on contract drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years of legal experience across government, academia, private practice, and nonprofit settings, Gigi brings a rare blend of strategic precision, empathetic problem-solving, and cross-sector insight to every client engagement.

Qualified in New York, Gigi has supported a wide range of clients, including public entities, global businesses, and mission-driven organisations, on matters spanning employment law, environmental and zoning regulation, commercial agreements, and policy advocacy. She began her legal career at the New York City Law Department and the District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General, where she advised on high-stakes real estate and environmental transactions. She later transitioned into leadership roles in academia and legal reform, including serving as Director of the Urban Law Center at Fordham University School of Law, and is currently a Professor of Law at Widener University Delaware Law School, where she teaches contract law and business law and develops curriculum on corporate social responsibility and ethical practice.

At Cleveland & Co, Gigi applies her deep legal reasoning and collaborative style to support clients navigating commercial risk, cross-border negotiations, and operational contracts. Her dual fluency in law and narrative, amplified by her MFA in Writing from Columbia University, enables her to deliver clear, well-structured solutions that consider both legal outcomes and human dynamics.

Gigi’s work reflects Cleveland & Co’s values of integrity, clarity, and compassion. Known for her thoughtful communication, creative thinking, and commitment to inclusive practice, she is a trusted partner for clients seeking long-term, values-driven legal support.

Her areas of expertise include contract drafting and negotiation, corporate and commercial law, corporate social responsibility, DEI frameworks, and employment law. She is also a frequent speaker and moderator at national conferences on ethics, equity, and sustainable business law, and actively contributes to scholarship through her writing and research.

In 2025, Gigi was voted by the faculty of Delaware Law School to receive tenure as Professor of Law. She also published A Regulatory Framework for Digital Assets and Stablecoins (SSRN, 2025), which examines the regulatory treatment of digital assets and proposes a structured framework for future supervision.

Outside of work, Gigi enjoys swimming, tennis, baking with her daughters, and playing music; interests that reflect her joyful, reflective, and community-minded approach to life and law.

Contract Law Expertise

Over 15 years advising on complex contract drafting and negotiation, balancing legal precision with commercial pragmatism for corporate, commercial, employment, and real estate matters.

Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership

Designed and delivered an intensive Corporate Social Responsibility course at Widener University Delaware Law School, integrating sustainability, ethics, and business law to prepare future leaders.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advocacy

Frequent speaker and panelist on ethics, gender equity, and diversity in law and business; led initiatives in partnership with the U.N. Habitat and other international organisations.

Academic & Thought Leadership

Assistant Professor of Law and published author, contributing scholarly works on corporate governance, pay equity, and empathetic lawyering, with articles in prominent law journals and books on urban law.

Cross-Disciplinary Legal Insigh t

Brings a unique perspective from her combined background in law and literature, offering innovative, human-centred solutions for clients and empowering collaborative problem-solving across jurisdictions.

  • Contract Drafting and Negotiation
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Employment

Qualifications & Courses

  • Admitted to the Bar, New York, United States
  • B.A., Cornell University
  • J.D., Fordham University School of Law
  • M.F.A.; Columbia University School of the Arts
  • Professor of Law, Delaware Law School

Appointments & Memberships

  • New York Bar