THE SPINE — ONE FOUNDER
Devika Tandon
TORONTO → SYDNEY → LOS ANGELES
There's a version of this bio that reads like a résumé: federal attorney, in-house counsel, immigration advocate, federally certified law enforcement officer, founder, moderator. That version is accurate. It misses the through-line.
Born in Toronto, educated in Toronto and Sydney, building in Los Angeles — Devika grew up between worlds, and that in-between space taught her what most legal training doesn't: the most important work happens at the intersections. Between law and narrative. Between institution and community. Between power and accountability. Ideate Legal is that conviction, built. Two arms. One spine.
STOPS ON THE SPINE
Chapter One — The Corporate Tech Years
In-house, from fintech to the NYSE bell
Senior legal roles at GQR Global Markets, AirMap, and Zest AI — building legal infrastructure across global recruiting, drone technology, and fintech — then senior in-house counsel at FIGS, supporting a hyper-growth company through a successful NYSE public offering.
Chapter Two — The Courtroom
65+ cases for unaccompanied children
Staff Attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, representing unaccompanied children in immigration and state court across 65+ active cases — advocacy at its most consequential, where a client's whole future fits inside one hearing.
Chapter Three — The Federal System
Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Prisons)
Serving as a legal advisor to four federal correctional institutions across Southern California and as a federally certified law enforcement officer, Devika learned from inside how power actually moves through the system.
Chapter Four — The Room She Built
Founding Ideate Legal & The Civic Room
After years inside institutions, courtrooms, and boardrooms — Devika built something of her own. Ideate Legal brings together legal advisory, strategic counsel, and civic convening under one roof. The Civic Room produces the panels, salons, and dialogues where the most important conversations happen. She serves on the Board of the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, and is also the founder of Motherland Designs, a freehand mandala art brand rooted in South Asian identity and cultural storytelling.
SPEAKING & MEDIA
On stages, on panels, on the record.
Devika moderates, speaks, and builds master classes at the intersection of law, advocacy, and social justice — from co-branded convenings to conference stages and press commentary. Most recently: Building Your Voice, a masterclass created for the Chris Paul Family Foundation’s Club61, bringing in students from across the country. Her speaking topics, moderation services, and booking details live on the Speaking & Media page.
ONE FOUNDER — ONE VISION
“I'm not waiting to be chosen. I built the room myself. And I'm inviting the right people in.”