ABOUT US
Our Mission & Vision
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA-NA) seeks to strengthen the rapidly growing South Asian legal community with a recognized and trusted forum for professional growth and development, and promotes the civil rights and access to justice for the South Asian community.
With 29 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, our attorneys work in all areas of the law, including large law firms, in-house counsel, government attorneys, and solo practitioners. Our bar hosts an Annual Conference, annual Lobby Day and numerous other successful programs throughout the year.
SABA North America is proud to be the voice of the South Asian legal community in North America.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
WE ARE INCLUSIVE and take pride at SABA North America in being an organization that warmly welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We believe that varied perspectives enrich our community and strengthen our collective mission. Whether you're looking to connect, collaborate, or contribute, you’ll find a supportive and inclusive environment with us.
Our goals and objectives include...
Professional Growth
To provide mentorship and support for our regional chapters and create a networking medium and professional development opportunities for individual law students and attorneys.
Diversity and Inclusion
To promote diversity and inclusion efforts that ensure equal participation in the legal profession and greater representation in the judiciary.
Civil Rights
To combat efforts to limit and marginalize South Asian and immigrant communities.
Access to Justice
To educate the South Asian community by providing legal information and access to a network of pro bono services.
Executive Committee

Nishi Kothari
President
SABA Houston

Lalitha Alladi
President-Elect
SABA Florida / SABA Georgia

Raj Mahadass
Treasurer
SABA Houston

Neha Shah
Secretary
SABA Northern California

Tarina Mand
VP - Annual Conference
SABA San Diego

Shivan Mehta
VP - Sponsorship
SABA Dallas

Krithika Rajkumar
VP - Public Relations
SABA Greater Boston

Deep Singh Badhesha
VP - Membership
SABA Colorado

Rachna Malkana
VP - Affiliate Relations
SABA New Jersey

Rashmi Chandra
VP - Professional Development
SABA Connecticut

Rahil Darbar
VP - Programming
SABA New Jersey

Akriti Bhargava
VP - Young Lawyers Division
SABA Oregon

Rohit Biswas
VP - Advocacy (U.S.)
SABA New York

Devin Persuad
VP - Advocacy (Canada)
SABA Toronto
President
The President of the Association shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall, subject to the approval of the Board, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and Officers of the Association. The President shall preside at the Annual Conference of the Association and at each meeting of the Board. The President shall be deemed a member of each of the standing committees of the Association and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
President Elect
The President-Elect of the Association shall appear on behalf of the Association whenever requested to do so by the President and shall serve in place of the President whenever the President is unable to perform his or her duties or whenever the President requests that the President-Elect so act. At the direction of the Board, the President-Elect shall also handle special projects for the Association. The President-Elect, together with the VP-Annual Conference, shall be responsible for coordinating matters related to the planning of the annual conference of the Association. The President-Elect shall be the President of the Association for the term following his or her term as President-Elect.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office or such other place as the Board may designate, a book of minutes for all of the meetings of Board, (a) stating the time and place at which such meeting was held; (b) stating whether such meeting was a regular meeting or a special meeting; (c) recording the names of those Directors’ present at such meetings and (d) summarizing the proceedings of such meetings. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office of the Association, a membership register recording the name of each Chapter of the Association. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Board required by the Bylaws or by Law to be given. He or she shall safeguard the seal of the Association and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the by these Bylaws.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Association, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, and losses. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Director. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Association with such depositories as may be designated by the Board. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Association as may be ordered by the Board; shall render to the President and Directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions and of the financial condition of the Association; and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
Vice President - Membership
The Vice President - Membership shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, (i) for communications with the Chapters of the Association and prospective Chapters of the Association and (ii) for communications with the Members of the Association and prospective individual members of the Association. The Vice President – Membership shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
Vice President - Affiliate Relations
The Vice President - Affiliate Relations shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the Association’s external relations with national and local bar associations sharing common interests and goals with the Association. The Vice President – Affiliate Relations shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
Vice President - Public Relations
The Vice President of Public Relations shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating and producing the Association’s newsletter, with the assistance of the Association’s Executive Director and Executive Assistant, and oversight of the Association’s website, email correspondence and social media, as well as coordinating the Association’s external relations with the media and other organizations. The Vice President –– Public Relations shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
Vice President - Programming
The Vice President – Programming shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the various programming for the Association, including, but not limited to, digital or virtual programming (i.e., support for the Webinar Series) and general programming (i.e., support for the Corporate Counsel College, Corporate Counsel Retreat, and working in conjunction with the VP – Conference for the Annual Conference programming). The Vice President – Programming may, at the discretion of the President and the Executive Committee create and appoint members, that he or she will oversee, to a programming committee dedicated to digital, virtual and/or general programming. The Vice President – Programming shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
Vice President - Professional Development
The Vice President – Professional Development shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating various initiatives designed to promote the professional growth and development of the Association’s members. Such initiatives include, but are not limited to, oversight of the SABA Leadership Institute (“SLI”), SABA Cares and SABA Wellness. The Vice President –Professional Development shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
Vice President - Advocacy (United States)
The Vice President – Advocacy (United States) shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the Association’s external relations with U.S. national and local community-based organizations sharing common interests and goals with the Association. The Vice President – Advocacy (United States) shall also provide support to the Advocacy Committee, the Racial Justice Task Force, Lobby Day, and to other committees, such as judicial and political nominations, as appropriate. The Vice President – Advocacy (United States) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
Vice President - Advocacy (Canada)
The Vice President – Advocacy (Canada) shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the Association’s external relations with Canadian national and local community-based organizations sharing common interests and goals with the Association. The Vice President – Advocacy (Canada) shall also provide support to the Advocacy Committee, the Racial Justice Task Force, and to other committees, such as judicial and political nominations, as appropriate. The Vice President – Advocacy (Canada) shall have the ability to form their own Advocacy Committee to effectuate the goals of SABA North America and in line with their duties. The Vice President – Advocacy (Canada) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
Vice President - Sponsorship
The Vice President – Sponsorship shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for coordinating the Association’s fundraising and revenue generation efforts, including for the Association’s Annual Conference. The Vice President – Sponsorship shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or the Bylaws.
Vice President - Young Lawyers Division
The Vice President -Young Lawyers Division Chair (“Vice President – YLD”) shall be responsible, under the direction of the Board, for representing the Association and the Association’s Young Lawyers Division as a delegate to the Council and Assembly of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (“SABA-YLD”). The Vice President - YLD shall also preside over the meetings and activities of the Association’s Young Lawyers Division, including the selection of a Young Lawyers Division member to serve as the Association’s second representative to the ABA-YLD Assembly. The Vice President - YLD shall also oversee outreach and programming for new and junior lawyers, including coordination with NASALSA or any recognized law school chapter thereof. The Vice President - YLD shall serve a two-year term each and shall be required to attend all scheduled meetings of the ABA-YLD to represent the Association’s interests. The Vice President - YLD shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or these Bylaws.
SABA Team
President's Page
Brasher Law Firm, PLLC interviewed Nishi Kothari about her new role as President of SABA North America. Take a look as she explains what brought her here!
"So proud that the firm has fully and thoroughly supported me becoming President of SABA North America! Small interview about my journey to this point and vision for future."
-Nishi Kothari
Letter from the President
Dear SABA Community,
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the President of the South Asian Bar Association of North America. As we begin this new chapter, I am filled with optimism and pride in the remarkable work our members, chapters, and partners continue to do across the continent.
SABA was born out of the aftermath of 9/11—at a time when racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes were at their peak against the South Asian community. Our founders came together with a clear purpose: to defend the rule of law and to give our community a voice when it was most at risk. Today, in a world once again marked by uncertainty and division, we reaffirm that commitment. SABA will continue to protect the rule of law and equip our community with the tools they need to understand and assert their rights.
SABA has long stood as the leading voice for South Asian legal professionals in the United States and Canada. From advocating for civil rights to mentoring the next generation of legal talent, we have built a legacy rooted in excellence, service, and community. And yet, the best is still ahead of us.
In the months and years to come, we are embarking on an exciting journey of growth and impact. Our goals are bold, and our commitment is unwavering. Among our top priorities:
- Building stronger alliances globally, forging deeper connections with legal organizations in South Asia and across the diaspora to amplify our collective voice on the world stage.
- Finalizing and implementing our three-year strategic plan, which will provide a clear, forward-looking roadmap to guide SABA’s development and sustainability.
- Expanding our advocacy efforts, particularly in the area of immigration, where South Asian voices must be heard clearly and urgently.
- Becoming the trusted legal resource for the South Asian community in North America—whether that means connecting individuals to legal services, providing thought leadership on critical issues, or fostering a safe, inclusive space for all.
We do this work with a deep understanding that our strength lies in our unity. Whether you are a law student, a new attorney, a seasoned practitioner, or an ally of our mission, you are an essential part of this movement. Your involvement ensures that SABA remains a dynamic and responsive force in shaping the future of our community.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we will write the next chapter of SABA’s story—one of impact, inclusion, and leadership.
With gratitude and determination,

Nishi Kothari
President
SABA North America
Past Presidents
2003-2004: Navneet Chugh
2004-2005: Vijay Bondada
2005-2006: Sabita Singh
2006-2007: Paul Grewal
2007-2008: Alamdar Hamdani
2008-2009: Inderpreet Sawhney
2009-2010: Sonjui Kumar
2010-2011: Anna Sankaran
2011-2012: Jolsna John
2012-2013: Emilie Ninan
2013-2014: Nadeem Bezar
2014-2015: Mansi Shah
2015-2016: Anne Gwal
2016-2017: Vichal Kumar
2017-2018: Rishi Bagga
2018-2019: Sundeep Sandhu
2019-2020: Aneesh Mehta
2020-2021: Rippi Gill
2021-2022: Samir Mehta
2022-2023: Tara Mythri Raghavan
2023-2024: Charanjit (Charan) Brahma
2024-2025: Keerthi Sugumaran
We would like to thank all of our Past Presidents for their support of the South Asian Bar Association of North America.
SABA Advisory Council
Board of Governors

Samir Mehta
Assistant General Counsel, Litigation & IP
MiTek

Rippi Gill
Vice President, Chief Product Counsel
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Jolsna John Thomas
President
The Rosendin Foundation

Charan Sandhu
Partner
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Aneesh Mehta
Senior Counsel
Microsoft

Talat M. Ansari
Partner
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Vikram Amar
Dean
University of Illinois College of Law

Nadeem Bezar
Partner
Kline & Specter, PC

Vijay V. Bondada
Chief Litigation Officer
Duke Energy Corp.

Javade Chaudhri
Of Counsel
Jones Day

Sabina Clorfeine
Assistant General Counsel
Southern California Gas Company

Sedesh Doobay
General Counsel
Integra Life Sciences

Rajesh (Raj) De
Partner
Mayer Brown LLP

Anne Gwal
Associate General Counsel
Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Rohit Kirpalani
General Counsel
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation

Sonjui Kumar
Partner
KPPB Law

Ashish S. Prasad
VP & General Counsel
HaystackID

Thomas Santram
VP, Deputy General Counsel
Cineplex

Ayaz R. Shaikh
Member/Co-Chair Project Development & Finance Practice
Mintz Levin

AV Maharaj
Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
The Kraft Heinz Company, Canada

Pratik Shah
Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Rishi Bagga
VP & General Counsel
Skyline Hotels, LLC

Sundeep Sandhu
Partner
Blaney McMurtry

Asker A. Saeed
Principal
Saeed Consulting Group
Past SABA Advisory Council Members

Anita Ramasastry
Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law
University of Washington School of Law

Emilie Ninan
Partner
Ballard Spahr, LLP

Richard Verma
General Counsel & Head of Public Policy
Mastercard

Vichal Kumar
Regional Director
Partners for Justice

Paul S. Grewal
Chief Legal Officer
Coinbase

Neel Chatterjee
Partner
Goodwin Procter

Mansi Shah
(Chair, National Advisory Council) Partner
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP

Inderpreet Sawhney
Chief Legal Officer & Chief Compliance Officer
Infosys




