Research Associate · IRDi, University of Marburg
Sharmin
N. Chougule
Law at the edge of code.
Doctor Europaeus in Civil Law & Constitutional Legality. Specialising in the legal architecture of Smart Contracts, Distributed Ledger Technology, Internet of Things, and AI Contracting — where emerging technology meets binding obligation.
About Me
Sharmin N. Chougule is a Research Associate at the Institut für das Recht der Digitalisierung (IRDi), University of Marburg, Germany, working under Prof. Florian Möslein on the SmaCo project — funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection — dedicated to research on Smart Contracts.
She holds the Doctor Europaeus title in Civil Law and Constitutional Legality from the International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, Italy, with a thesis on Novel Legal Issues of Blockchain and IoT in AI-driven Smart Contracts.
"The convergence of IoT, Distributed Ledger Technology, and AI is not merely a technical phenomenon — it is a structural challenge to established legal categories."
Beyond academia, she brings substantial in-house and consultancy experience: as Contracts Attorney with Integreon (legal support to a global sportswear brand), Senior Legal Advisor at White Bison Law, and as Legal & Compliance Associate at Publicis Groupe India Country Office, where she played a key role in GDPR contractual transitions.
She holds an LL.M. (with Distinction, A+) in International Law from ILS Law College, University of Pune, is a Corporate Compliance Officer under the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and is a Member of the Academic Advisory Body at INATBA.
Areas of Expertise
Legal Expertise
- Contract Law & Drafting
- International Law
- Corporate Compliance
- Data Privacy & GDPR
- EU Regulatory Frameworks
- Supply Chain Law
Technology Law
- Smart Contracts & DLT
- Blockchain Regulation
- AI Contracting & Liability
- IoT Legal Architecture
- Fintech Regulation
- Cross-border Digital Trade
Additional Skills
Publications & Research
Peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy research at the intersection of law and emerging technology.
Novel Forms of Contracting in the Digital Economy
Commissioned analysis of contractual frameworks in the EU and the U.S. to address differences and legal uncertainty between mandatory civil law rules applicable to novel forms of contracting — facilitating the use of cross-border AI contracting. Published for the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers.
Read Publication
2025 · Book Chapter · Routledge
The Impact of Telemedicine Technologies on Brain Small Vessel Disease
Co-authored Chapter 14 offering a multidisciplinary perspective on emerging technologies in healthcare. Contributed to discourse on Ambient Assisted Living systems, emphasising the transition from Healthcare 4.0 to 5.0.
2024 · Co-authored with Luigi Cantisani
The Oracle Problem in Smart Contracts: Data Privacy, Security, and Solutions
Explores risks associated with the Oracle problem including data privacy risks, data manipulation, trust in Oracle operators, and regulatory compliance. Discusses privacy-preserving oracles and decentralised oracle networks.
2023
Smart Contracts, Blockchain, and Regulatory Evolution in Fintech
Examines the intersection of smart contracts, blockchain technology, and evolving legal frameworks in fintech and sustainable markets.
2023 · LL.M. Thesis
Contemplating a Basic Global Regulatory Framework to Safeguard Personal Data
Proposes that despite departure in national data protection laws globally, consensus exists at the core of most national and international regimes on fundamental data protection principles.
2022
Prosumerism and Energy Communities: IoT with Blockchain
Research on the future of energy community management through Industry 4.0, exploring the integration of IoT with blockchain technology in peer-to-peer energy trading.
Affiliations
Advisory positions, task forces, and professional memberships shaping technology law and policy.
INATBA · Brussels
Member, Academic Advisory Body & European Data Privacy Working Group
Contributing to the AAB which brings together top academic experts in blockchain technology, bridging research, education, and practical applications in emerging tech.
View AAB membersUNIDROIT · Rome
Visiting Researcher & Member, Investment Contracts Task Force
Supporting UNIDROIT's work on International Investment Contracts through the Roma Tre – UNIDROIT Centre, focusing on change-of-circumstances clauses and sustainability goals.
Learn moreICLE · United States (Remote)
Research Fellow
Engaging in research and policy analysis at the intersection of law, economics, and public policy — competition law, technology policy, and market governance.
ICSI · India
Corporate Compliance Officer
Certified Corporate Compliance Officer under the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. CS Executive with exemptions in Financial Accounting and Taxation Laws.
Experience & Education
Research Associate
Institut für das Recht der Digitalisierung (IRDi), University of Marburg
Marburg, Germany · EU Blue Card Holder
Research under Prof. Florian Möslein dedicated to Smart Contracts under the SmaCo framework — a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.
Research Fellow
International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE)
Remote · United States
Research and policy analysis at the intersection of law, economics, and public policy. Contributing to ICLE's mission of promoting sound economic principles in law-making, focusing on competition law, technology policy, and market governance.
Doctoral Researcher — Doctor Europaeus
University of Camerino, International School of Advanced Studies
Camerino, Italy
Ph.D. in Civil Law, Faculty of Law. Thesis: Novel Legal Issues of Blockchain and IoT in AI-driven Smart Contracts. Awarded the Doctor Europaeus title in Civil Law and Constitutional Legality.
Global Research Associate
Global Law Observatory for Business (GLOB)
Remote
European Commission DG JUST project on novel contracting models. Analysis of contractual frameworks in the EU and U.S. addressing differences in mandatory civil law rules applicable to novel forms of contracting and cross-border AI contracting.
Visiting Researcher
Reykjavik University
Reykjavik, Iceland
Researching jurisdictional issues of smart contracts in supply chain management.
Visiting Researcher
CITIP, KU Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
Researching the integration of IoT, DLT, and Smart Contracts — their impact on security and privacy of data in supply chain management. Published in Law and Policy of the Media in a Comparative Perspective.
Visiting Researcher
UNIDROIT
Rome, Italy
Working Group on the UNIDROIT Principles of International Investments Contracts. Invited to the HCCH – UNIDROIT Joint Project on Applicable Law to Cross-Border Holdings (Study LXXXIIA).
Senior Legal Advisor (Independent Consultant)
White Bison Law
Remote
Strategic legal counsel to clients of a pioneering digital law firm. Navigating complex regulatory landscapes, drafting and negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with EU law and global legal standards. Supporting development of cutting-edge projects including AI model training.
Contracts Attorney (Independent Consultant)
Integreon Managed Solutions, Inc.
Remote · Europe & United States
Legal support to a global sports brand. Part of the Playbook Drafting, Quality Control, Drafting and Negotiations Team. Co-lead of the India and EU Drafting and Negotiations Team. Lead of U.S. and EU Special Projects.
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating Managed Services, Integration/Professional Services, SaaS/PaaS, Software License, Sports Marketing, and Confidentiality Agreements. Instrumental role building Client's Powers of Attorney project in the EMEA region.
Senior Legal Associate · Contracts Specialist
Cacti Legal / Integreon Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai, India
Close support to a global sportswear company in the U.S. as Contracts Specialist. Co-lead of the India Drafting and Negotiations Team.
Legal & Compliance Associate
Publicis Groupe · India Country Office
Mumbai, India
Part of the four-member Legal Team. Drafted, reviewed, redlined, negotiated, and advised on agreements for Indian and international clients. Provided legal support to 17 revenue-generating agencies. Played a key role in GDPR contractual transitions.
Legal Intern
Majlis Legal Centre for Women
Mumbai, India
Representing and assisting Majlis lawyers at the Bombay High Court and magistrate courts. Legal research and case studies specialising in IPC, CrPC, Domestic Violence Act, and POCSO.
Company Secretary & Legal Trainee
Acuité Ratings & Research Limited
Mumbai, India
Trained under the Company Secretary in preparation of agendas and minutes for board and directors' committee meetings. Experience in drafting agreements and handling client matters.
Ph.D. · Doctor Europaeus · Civil Law & Constitutional Legality
University of Camerino, International School of Advanced Studies
Camerino, Italy
Thesis: Novel Legal Issues of Blockchain and IoT in AI-driven Smart Contracts. Awarded the Doctor Europaeus distinction.
LL.M. · International Laws (with Distinction)
Indian Law Society's (ILS) Law College, University of Pune
Pune, India · CGPA: 8.690 · Grade: A+
Specialisation in International Law; minor in Corporate Finance, Economics, Technology & Business Law. Thesis: Contemplating Basic Global Regulatory Framework to Safeguard Personal Data in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Secured highest marks in Constitutional Law (1st Sem) & Corporate Finance (3rd Sem). Published two peer-reviewed papers in Gender Justice, Development & Rights.
LL.B. · Corporate and Intellectual Property Laws
Jitendra Chauhan College of Law (Mithibai College), University of Mumbai
Mumbai, India
Company Secretary · CS Executive
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
CS Executive: Exemptions in Financial Accounting & Taxation Laws. CS Foundation: Exemption in all subjects (>60 marks).
B.Com. · Commerce, Accounting & Economics
SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce, University of Mumbai
Mumbai, India
First in Business Economics (2nd Year) · Merit Scholarship recipient · First in Financial Accounting & Taxation (3rd Year) · Top-five performer in college in 5th and 6th Semesters.
Contact
Let's Connect
Open to discussing research collaborations, legal consultations, academic opportunities, and innovative projects at the intersection of law and technology.