SABA-DC 2026 Board of Directors
We are happy to announce elections for the 2026 Board of Directors is underway!
Active attorney-members, please click here to access your ballot.
Statements of Candidacy
Vishnu Tirumala - President- Elect
Dear SABA-DC Members,
I seek your support to be President-elect of the South Asian Bar Association of Washington, D.C. I have served on the Board for the past two years, as a General Director and as Co-Vice President of Gala. I have chaired our endorsements committee, gala awards committee, and junior lawyers’ division. The opportunity to connect with and promote so many South Asian legal professionals has been a highlight of my professional journey, and one that I want to continue in the years to come.
I hope to contribute to our long legacy of professional development, dialogue, and support for South Asian lawyers and South Asians in the DMV. Here are a few of my objectives over the coming years:
These are a few of my ideas, but I am also interested in hearing yours. As President-elect and President, I will make myself available to the community now and in the future. I’m committed to building on all that we have accomplished, but I cannot do it alone. My only ask is that each member try to contribute in their own way. Consider serving on a committee, attending a quarterly happy hour, or mentoring a new lawyer. Together, I know we can take SABA-DC to new heights.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stevin George - Vice President of Membership
Thank you for considering me for the position of Vice President of Membership for SABA-DC in 2026. I am an alum of the University of Michigan Law School and currently serve as a Technology Transactions associate at King & Spalding. Having had the privilege of serving as Secretary on the 2024–2025 SABA-DC Board, I have seen firsthand the passion, collaboration, and community that make this organization thrive. As VP of Membership, I aim to build on that foundation by expanding membership, deepening engagement, and creating programming that reflects both our professional ambitions and cultural identity.
It has been an honor to serve as Secretary, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting our members as VP of Membership in 2026. Thank you for your trust and consideration.
Kavya Nagumotu - Vice President of Communications
Thank you for considering my candidacy for Vice President of Communications for the 2026 SABA-DC Board.
I am a Trial Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where I handle complex intellectual property litigation on behalf of the Federal Government. My work requires clarity, organization, strategic messaging, and the ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences. I also have experience with social media and graphic design tools through my leadership roles during college, and can present information in a way that is engaging, accessible, and aligned with organizational goals.
Over the past two years, I have become increasingly involved in SABA-DC and deeply value the sense of community, mentorship, and professional connection it fosters. I would be proud to contribute to this organization by taking on a leadership role that aligns strongly with my professional skills and personal strengths.
If selected, I would focus on strengthening SABA-DC’s visibility, consistency, and outreach across all communication channels. This includes ensuring timely updates to the website, elevating our social media presence, and supporting the marketing of SABA-DC’s events and initiatives. I hope to use this opportunity to spotlight member achievements and help shape strategies that grow and energize our community. I also plan to work closely with the Board to create clear messaging so information flows smoothly between the Board, committee members, and our broader membership.
SABA-DC is an organization I deeply respect, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice President of Communications.
Lavanya Hospeti - Vice President of Programming
Dear Fellow SABA-DC Members,
Thank you for considering me for the position of Vice President of Programming for SABA-DC in 2026. I currently serve as a Legal Advisor at Technical Resources International, where I negotiate and draft clinical trial agreements. I have had the honor of serving as a general director on the SABA-DC Board, co-chairing the community empowerment grant committee and Junior Lawyers Division, as well as serving on the Health Law committee. During this time, I worked with my fellow Board and committee members, evaluating grant applications, communicating with local DMV non-profits, coordinating events such as the Fireside Chat with DC Shadow Senator Ankit Jain and JLD happy hours, and creating marketing materials for SABA-DC’s annual Gala – all while building meaningful connections.
If elected VP of Programming, I plan to continue to support SABA-DC’s key objectives through the following:
SABA-DC has been incredibly impactful on my professional experience, providing a sense of community in a vast legal market. If elected, I am committed to creating the same sense of community for our entire membership through strategic, diverse, and engaging programming.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ithi Joshi - Vice President of Gala
Dear SABA-DC Members,
My name is Ithi Joshi and I am pleased to be running for the position of Vice President of Gala of the SABA-DC Board of Directors (the “Board”). I am currently a corporate counsel at Amazon and specialize in corporate and transactional law. Outside of work, I serve as a Development Editor for the Opening Statement, the official newsletter of the Virginia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.
Having previously served as Vice President of Gala, I would like to once again contribute my experience to ensure the continued success of one of our most important annual events.
During my prior term as Vice President of Gala, I worked closely with the President, the Board, and the gala committee to plan and execute a financially successful event. I approached the role with the mindset that the Gala should reflect not only the spirit of SABA-DC, but also the community and collegiality that defines our membership. Throughout the planning process, I prioritized clear communication, strategic budgeting, efficient coordination with vendors and sponsors, and a collaborative environment for committee volunteers. I am proud that the then Board expressed appreciation for the quality of my work and the smooth operation of the event.
If elected again, I will bring this prior experience and a renewed energy to the position. My goals include enhancing committee engagement, strengthening sponsorship opportunities, and maintaining transparent reporting to the President and Board. I understand how essential it is for the Vice President of Gala to balance creative ideas with practicality, especially when it comes to managing costs, handling logistics, and ensuring the Gala remains both sustainable and memorable each year. Having already worked closely with fellow Board members, I am prepared to step into the Vice President of Gala position again with familiarity and confidence.
Our annual Gala is more than an evening of celebration; it is a meaningful opportunity to strengthen our professional community, honor our achievements, and support SABA-DC's ongoing programming. I would welcome the privilege of serving again and contributing to an event that celebrates our goals, mission and membership.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sandhya Taneja - Vice President of Gala
Hi everyone! My name is Sandhya Taneja, and I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election as the Vice President of Gala for SABA-DC. I am an Antitrust Associate at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider and I’m excited to continue my involvement with SABA-DC.
As some of you may know, I had the privilege of serving as the VP of Gala for the 2024-2025 term, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional journey.
From my background as an Antitrust Associate at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider to my previous five years of event planning experience, including working with Seven Ivory Brides and APABA-MD, I have always found joy in bringing people together to celebrate and build community. But the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals within SABA-DC has been a truly special part of my journey.
This past year, we created a remarkable Gala that exceeded expectations in terms of fundraising but also truly reflected the spirit of SABA-DC: inclusivity, professionalism, excellence, and community even under pressure.
I am eager to build on this momentum. I am confident that with the experience gained this past year and a deeper understanding of the nuances that make SABA-DC’s Gala so special, I can continue to lead an event that is even more engaging, impactful, and memorable for our members.
I am deeply committed to ensuring that each Gala reflects our chapter’s values, and my goal is always to create an event that our community can be proud of. I remain dedicated to bringing fresh ideas, fostering collaboration, and continuing to ensure our Gala not only serves as an exciting social event but also as a platform for our chapter’s continued success.
I am incredibly grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me so far, and I would be honored to continue serving in this role. Thank you for considering me once again as your VP of Gala, and I look forward to another year of growth and success together!
Sai Santosh Kolluru - Treasurer
Dear Fellow SABA-DC Members,
I am writing to formally announce my candidacy for Treasurer of our Association. Having served in this role since my appointment in 2025, I am eager to continue contributing to our organization's financial health and operational excellence.
When I was appointed Treasurer earlier this year, I came to the position without prior experience in this specific role. However, I recognized that our Association deserved dedicated stewardship of its resources, and I committed myself fully to mastering the responsibilities entrusted to me. Through diligent study of our existing procedures, I quickly developed the competencies necessary to safeguard our funds and ensure their proper disbursement in accordance with budget parameters. Where there were gaps in my understanding or novel issues arose, I worked quickly to understand past practices and problem-solved to deliver solutions promptly.
Throughout my tenure, I have maintained rigorous oversight of all Association funds and conducted regular audits to ensure funds were transitioning in and out of our accounts as authorized. I have processed disbursements efficiently, authorized payments in accordance with Board directives, and maintained the financial controls essential to our organization's integrity. These fundamental responsibilities have been executed consistently and without incident.
What I believe distinguishes my service is my collaborative approach. I have worked closely with all officers throughout the year, recognizing that financial management touches every aspect of our Association's activities. When issues arose—as they inevitably do—I made myself readily available to discuss concerns, explore solutions, and implement corrective measures swiftly. This partnership with fellow officers has allowed us to address challenges proactively rather than reactively.
Additionally, I have taken the initiative to streamline various processes that were unnecessarily cumbersome. By analyzing our workflows and identifying inefficiencies, I have helped the Association meet its financial obligations more smoothly while reducing administrative burden. These improvements have created systems that will serve us well into the future, regardless of who holds this office. An updated treasurer transition memo., reflects these improvements.
My rapid adaptation to this role demonstrates not only my capacity to learn but my commitment to excellence in service. The learning curve was steep, but I embraced it as an opportunity to grow while serving our community. The experience I have gained this year has been invaluable, and I am now positioned to serve with even greater effectiveness.
I respectfully ask for your support in continuing this work. If re-elected, I will maintain the same dedication, accessibility, and fiscal responsibility that have characterized my service thus far.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Niranjan Adhikari - General Director
Dear SABA DC Members,
I am an immigration lawyer, a business owner, a long-time member and supporter of SABA DC. My engagements with SABA DC community have been multi-faceted. I actively engage with the community through events and programs, have lend support for its pro bono program and fundraiser, and led a naturalization drive along with other volunteer attorneys and past board. I was honored to receive a generous Community Leader Award in 2023 from the SABA DC alongside much more accomplished attorneys from SABA DC community. I am also active in American Immigration Lawyers Association and in pro bono program of DC bar. I am on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/niranjanadhikari/. At law school was the Associate Editor of Berkeley Journal of International Law and was active member of vibrant South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) and APALSA.
I am passionate about the civic engagements and effort to connect SABA resources to civic issues where our expertise could be of use. Recent pollical climate, elections and challenges in rule of law have invited us to join the broader legal community more than ever in contributing and playing an active role in civic engagements in partnership with various organizations. This will help us to achieve the three key objectives the SABA-DC has, namely, (a) Increase awareness and dialogue regarding legal issues concerning South Asian Americans; (b) improve access to legal services for the South Asian American community, particularly among the least fortunate; and (c) promote a greater understanding of the legal, political, economic, and cultural environment of South Asian. This could also be a launching pad for some of our members who seeks to enter public service, or it may just help us to increase positive visibility of South Asian community in America through our civic engagements.
I have had the privilege to serve on the District of Columbia’s Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, on the board of Durga Temple and other nonprofits. These experiences and the relationships I built over the years will help me to engage effectively with our diverse South Asian communities. I also hope to contribute to expanding SABA DC’s programming to greater DMV region.
Moreover, I learned a great deal in running a successful immigration law firm. With this I hope to bring diverse perspectives on practice of law. I also hope to work with the Board to bring some programs for this subgroup and plan to help revive attorney referral network and possibly robust membership portal.
If you elect me as a General Director, I will also ensure that we revisit occasionally to check-in with members of SABA and run a survey to see what members like to see on SABA-DC. I also hope to work with the Board and general members to bring SABA DC and other bars to some sporting and outdoor volunteering opportunities to add some spices to monotony of practicing law and attending law events!
I hope you will cast your vote for me for the General Director’s role! Thanks.
Pratik Agarwal - General Director
My name is Pratik Agarwal and I am excited to submit a statement for a General Director position on the 2026 SABA Board.
I view the General Director role as that of a utility player -- someone who can wear many hats, jump into different tasks, and be malleable to the needs of the organization. My 10+ years in corporate America have taught me just that. I come equipped with the knowledge from all of my professional experiences: as an engineer, a management consultant, and an antitrust attorney. I can confidently adapt to challenging situations, work with drastically differing and often challenging personalities, and perhaps most importantly, take an idea and steer it all the way to reality. (Note: I have also held a number of odd jobs, including as a costume character for kids' birthday parties. The company stopped operating after receiving a cease and desist for trademark infringement. I went on to start my legal career as an IP Litigator. Life is full circle like that sometimes.). That story is for another forum.
I have grand ideas for where SABA can go over the next year. But ultimately, ideas only have utility if they can be executed by people. I know how to put egos aside and make things happen. That, or I can call someone willing to help. In my eight years of practicing as both a patent litigator and antitrust attorney, I have led summer programming and associate advisory committees, put together local, national, and global programming, and fostered relationships across the legal profession. I currently serve as a Young Lawyer Representative for the Programs Committee for the Antitrust Section of the ABA and as a Director of the Penn Law Asian Alumni board.
To meet the moment, I think it is more prudent than ever to synchronize and build cohesion with other organizations, particularly when it comes to professional development. As the first attorney in my entire extended family, I felt very alone when applying to law school, navigating summer jobs, seeking out clerkships, and walking the halls of a white shoe law firm. These days, there are a lot more people that look like us in the profession, which is wonderful, but not something to be taken for granted. My number one goal as a director is to keep the pipeline of South Asian attorneys flowing. I hope to have opportunities to do that by continuing to facilitate connections across other organizations, to both lead and participate in putting together educational, social, and professional programming, and by being an amenable team-player who wants the organization to achieve its goals. Thanks for your consideration!
Samay Singh Kindra - General Director
I am pleased to submit my candidacy for a General Director position on the SABA-DC Board of Directors. As a South Asian attorney working in government affairs and public policy, I hope to bring a perspective shaped by years of political engagement and a deep commitment to expanding the spaces in which South Asian legal professionals can lead.
In my current role as Government Affairs Manager at Vicinity Energy, I work closely with state and local lawmakers, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to advance clean energy policy and infrastructure investment. My path has shown me firsthand the value of legal training outside traditional practice—and how few South Asians are represented in these non-traditional yet highly influential areas, particularly in politics and public policy.
Before my current role, I worked in Ballard Spahr’s Public-Private Partnership and infrastructure practice. This experience helped tie together my legal education with the work I have done for over a decade in state, local, and federal politics, working on issues including mental-health access, education, campaign-finance reform, and environmental justice. These experiences have reinforced my belief that South Asian attorneys and other underrepresented groups bring crucial insight to civic spaces where decisions are made, yet remain on the margins.
If elected to the SABA-DC Board, I hope to support the organization’s ongoing work by expanding programming that highlights non-traditional legal careers—especially roles in government, politics, public policy, and advocacy. I want to help create pathways for South Asian attorneys and students who may not see themselves reflected in these fields, and to demonstrate how our community can play a larger role in shaping public institutions and policymaking.
It would be an honor to contribute to SABA-DC’s continued growth and to help strengthen its role as a home for every South Asian legal professional, regardless of career path. Thank you for your consideration.
Abhilasha Khanal - General Director
My name is Abhilasha Khanal and I am excited to submit my statement of interest for a Director position on the 2026 SABA DC Board of Directors.
I am a recent graduate from Penn State Dickinson Law (Class of 2025!) and currently serve as an Associate Attorney at Johnson and Masumi, and I am seeking this opportunity because I am deeply committed to helping strengthen the visibility, connectedness, and community bonds within the South Asian legal community in the D.C. region. Although my involvement to date has primarily been attending SABA DC events, those experiences made it clear to me how profoundly encouraging and meaningful it is to walk into a professional legal space where we are not the only one, where South Asian lawyers are not an exception but the norm. I want to help build more of those spaces for others.
Before practicing law, I worked in the nonprofit sector as a property manager. That experience developed skills that I believe translate directly to this role, including community building, relationship building across very diverse groups, proactive communication, and taking initiative in unstructured environments. I believe those strengths would make me an effective participant on SABA DC committees and a reliable partner to the Vice Presidents who lead them.
If elected, I am particularly eager to contribute to mentorship and pipeline building, especially supporting earlier career lawyers and students, to membership growth and visibility that prioritizes belonging rather than simply numbers, and to public interest outreach that highlights South Asian attorneys in government, public defense, legal services, and nonprofit advocacy. I would also like to explore practical ways to amplify the stories and accomplishments of our members through intentional communication and programming.
I understand that Directors are a core working function of SABA DC and I am prepared to fully participate in that role by helping with operations, logistics, brainstorming, and follow through. Most importantly, I am showing up with enthusiasm, humility, and a sincere desire to serve. SABA DC is an organization that has the power to deliver both community and opportunity, and I would be honored for the chance to contribute to that mission in 2026.
Sohil Khurana - General Director
Dear SABA-DC community,
My name is Sohil Khurana, and I am running for the position of General Director for the 2026 SABA-DC Board of Directors. Currently, I am a Senior Banking Counsel in the United States Senate, where I focus on economic policy. Prior to my current role, I was a policy advisor at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, and before that, practiced law at Latham & Watkins LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
As a General Director on the SABA-DC board for the last three years, I have found SABA to be a welcoming and caring community, and have been excited with the progress we have made with several initiatives. For the last three years, I have been co-chair of the Public Interest Fellowship (PIF) program for law students. Our hard work resulted in a significant increase in the number of law student applications received as compared to that in years past. I was very excited to see the progress made with the PIF program over the last few years, and look forward to enhancing the program even more in the new year. Ultimately, during these past few years, I have found that our programming was both fun and informative for all types of members. I look forward to facilitating additional programming covering a wide array of topics of interest to the broader South Asian legal community.
As a General Director, I would focus on enhancing the number of opportunities hosted and/or sponsored by SABA-DC. The last few years have demonstrated the benefits of virtual programming, particularly in broadening the scope of participants and experts involved in our events. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, I will plan to continue the balance of in-person and virtual programming so that SABA-DC members can continue to benefit from developing personal connections that are more easily developed in-person, while also taking advantage of the benefits afforded via virtual programming. Examples of programming I would like to further develop are the mentorship program, practice or industry group happy hours and other social activities, as well as partnership opportunities with similarly situated groups in the DMV area.
Given these experiences and ideas, I believe that I can continue to contribute to the South Asian legal community in the DMV area. My goal will always be to gather member feedback to ensure that we are providing the best possible opportunities in an inclusive and effective manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kaavya Ramesh - General Director
My name is Kaavya Ramesh, and I am writing to express my interest in the position of General Director with the South Asian Bar Association (SABA), D.C. I am currently an Associate Director in the Office of Graduate Careers at Georgetown Law, and I am deeply committed to creating spaces where South Asian voices are supported and represented within the legal profession.
I grew up in India, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Law before moving to the United States to obtain my J.D. from Cornell Law School. Over the past five years, I have built a multifaceted legal career across the public and private sectors, first serving as an Assistant District Attorney and later working in Big Law. My passion for supporting students led me to Georgetown Law, where I now work closely with LL.M. students as they navigate law school and their professional pathways.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have mentors who invested in my growth. Yet, I often found myself as the only South Asian person in the room. Those experiences strengthened my desire to work more closely with South Asian attorneys and to contribute meaningfully to our community. I am excited about this opportunity because it would allow me not only to support SABA’s broader mission but also to help plan programming and events that bring our community together.
During my time in Big Law, I chaired a subcommittee of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Advancement Committee (DIAC), where I organized numerous initiatives in collaboration with local law schools and nonprofit organizations. I have also volunteered with nonprofits in Pittsburgh by helping coordinate Holiday Gift Drives, and worked with middle school students to introduce them to careers in law. These experiences have shaped my commitment to service and mentorship, and I believe they have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to SABA’s work.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to support the organization in any way I can and contribute to the continued success of the South Asian Bar Association, D.C.
Anand Shah - General Director
I am running for a General Director position on next year's Board of Directors. I have had the privilege of serving on the SABA-DC Board for the last three years, leading efforts to revitalize the In-House Counsel Committee and streamline communications with our members. Continuing on the Board provides me with an opportunity to advance these past initiatives while also supporting the President's vision with strategic programming and outreach.
With over a decade of in-house, government, and law firm experience, I have seen how SABA-DC has evolved to serve its members – from events promoting professional growth to public interest fellowships and the Annual Gala. For 2026, I will (i) work closely with the Board and with SABA North America to expand our marketing reach within the broader DC legal community by collaborating with other bar associations, public interest organizations, and law schools; (ii) enhance membership experience with added benefits and targeted programming, based on career progression and interests; and (iii) improve on last year's historic fundraising campaign.
My career has benefited immensely from SABA-DC’s support, mentors, and programming – something I wish to pay forward. I am confident that I have the skills, vision, and experience to deliver as a General Director in 2026. Thank you for your consideration!
Rhea Shinde - General Director
Thank you for considering me for a Director position on the 2026 SABA DC Board of Directors.
As an alum of Georgetown University Law Center and current Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory associate at Arnold & Porter, I have experienced the importance of connecting within the local South Asian legal community and engaging in mentorship over shared background. My first exposure to SABA DC was during law school, when I attended the Gala as a performer with my Bhangra dance team. I appreciated the sense of community and, as a vendor, the impressive logistics and coordination required to make the event into such a success.
In more recent years as a practicing attorney, I have contributed as a volunteer to SABA DC’s efforts to create opportunities for connection and mentorship by helping plan and host annual programming with the Health Law Section. These experiences have shown me that there is a strong appetite within our community to learn from each other, think through challenging topics together, and develop relationships over samosas and chai. Each time I help with an event, I come away with lessons on what worked well and what we can plan to improve next time.
I hope to further my involvement and contributions to SABA DC as a Director by continuing to support programming, facilitate connection, and find creative solutions to overcome any logistical barriers. I am inspired by SABA-DC’s legacy and would be honored to work alongside the talented and dedicated Board serving our vibrant community.
Thank you for your consideration.