August 2016
by Paige Tackett

Shruti Krishnan works in-house at Excentus, a company that owns the patent technology behind the gasoline rollbacks at your local grocery store. Shruti works hands on with oil and gas giants like Shell. Her job allows her to tackle new challenges daily and to be at the forefront developing legal issues in patent law. Unlike many of us, Shruti did not envision becoming a lawyer; she wanted to be a doctor. Shruti was born and raised in Arlington, Texas, but enrolled at an east coast college to pursue a pre-med degree. Upon graduation, she returned to her roots to obtain a master’s degree in biophysics at UT Southwestern. While Shruti loved the field of science, she wanted to see more immediate results of her work. And when she least expected it, the law intersected with her career during a lecture presented by a scientist-turned-patent attorney. As Shruti says, her “interest was piqued.” She graduated cum laude from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2010.

DAYL continues to flourish because of ambitious, dedicated members like Shruti. Shruti was a member the 2014 Leadership Class and played an integral role in the success of their event, Crawfest: Claws for a Cause. As one fellow DAYL member stated, she was one of the class members that “made it happen.” She also assumed a role on the DAYL Charity Ball Committee in 2015.  Shruti’s genuine warmth and kindness are contagious, making her a perfect fit for co-chair of the DAYL Social Committee. From securing sponsors to picking venues, Shruti knows how to put together a successful social. You can find her at many other DAYL events, including Generation Generosity.

Beyond DAYL, Shruti currently serves as treasurer of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association. She was selected to attend the organization’s national convention in 2012 and has attended every national convention since. In 2013, she co-chaired DAABA’s annual Awards Night, another huge undertaking. The South Asian Bar Association of Dallas has recently recruited Shruti to become part of their organization. Shruti also chairs the State Bar of Texas IP Section Diversity Committee, awarding scholarships to minority law students across the state.

When not working or volunteering, Shruti surrounds herself with family and friends. Friends describe her as thoughtful, generous, caring, “the person you call” when you need advice or encouragement. From handwritten cards to home-cooked meals, Shruti goes “above and beyond” to show love and support. She also enjoys traveling; South Africa, Morocco, Greece, and Turkey are top contenders on her bucket list. A self-proclaimed foodie, Shruti utilizes her scientific brain in a new context—the kitchen. She is trying to master her mother and grandmother’s traditional Indian recipes one meal at a time.

Shruti Krishnan’s remarkable contributions to DAYL, commitment to diversifying the Dallas legal community, and heart for service make her this month’s One to Watch.