Work History

Women's Human Rights Legal and Policy Advisor, Jul'23 - Present

I consult with international community partners on systemic responses to gender based violence ("GBV"), project development, implementation and incorporation of international human rights law and practice into programming. With this, I also conduct research and analysis on law and policy relating to GBV including domestic and international human rights frameworks and developing recommendations for reforms. I collaborate with organizations driven by GBV reform missions and expand thought leadership on systemic reforms while addressing GBV as a human rights violation.

American Bar Association, New York

International Law Section Diversity Fellow, Aug'23 - Present

One of the 5 fellows chosen by ABA for their interest & contribution to international law.

Center for Family Representation, New York

Staff Attorney, Nov'22 - Jul'23

I represent low-income families at risk of separation through foster care. In the position, I have interacted with black and brown communities struggling with the system while attempting to present to court cultural and circumstantial differences between state policies and families. Along with this, I have also developed practical litigation strategies required to establish discrimination.

As a staff attorney at the Center for Family Representation, I have gained valuable experience representing black and brown families, including immigrants, who are at risk of separation through foster care. I have seen first-hand how economic means can be equated to neglectful parenting and how my clients, who come from these communities, struggle within the system. Through my advocacy, I have attempted to bring attention to the cultural and circumstantial differences between state policies and these families in court. I work in teams with social workers and parent advocates, who were once affected by the foster care system.

Geneva Call, New York

International Law and Human Rights Fellow, Aug'22 - Oct'22

I am proud to state that I was among the 9 LL.M students picked as an International Law and Human Rights fellow with Geneva Call.

During my fellowship, I played a key role in supporting the organization's participation in the 77th General Assembly in New York, which was held in person for the first time since the COVID pandemic. Specifically, I was involved in a side event on Negotiating Humanitarian Access to Protect Children Affected by Armed Conflict, which took place at the Luxembourg House in New York. I provided valuable insights and comments on the event's concept note, which helped shape its content and direction. I also prepared discussion points for various events related to activities of armed groups and de facto authorities, which are a significant cause of humanitarian concern. These events were held both before and during the high-level week. I also attended events in preparation of the high level week, those during the high level week and surrounding the high level week, actively advocating for and representing Geneva Call. In addition to my work during the General Assembly, I contributed significantly to preparing advocacy documents on thematic areas such as child protection, cultural heritage, healthcare, and sexual violence. These documents highlighted the international human rights and humanitarian laws governing Geneva Call's advocacy, as well as the regions where the organization has a significant presence and its success stories. These documents aimed to provide a concise representation of Geneva Call's work for all high-level events in the future.

Overall, my fellowship with Geneva Call provided me with an excellent opportunity to support the organization's efforts to promote international human rights and humanitarian law. I was able to contribute my knowledge and skills to various events and initiatives, allowing me to gain invaluable experience in the field of international humanitarian law and human rights.

Center for Human Rights (American Bar Association), Washington D.C.

Intern, Jan'22 - Apr'22

With the goal of gaining hands-on experience in the intersection of international law and human rights crises in South Asia, I focused on human rights violations against human rights defenders. One of my main projects involved helping to create a report on the nearly 300-day internet shutdown in Kashmir and its effect on human rights defenders, such as lawyers and journalists. I played an active role in advocating for the report in India and the United States, working with the American Bar Association.

Here is a link to the report: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/reports/india-internet-shutdowns/

New York University, New York

Research Assistant, Oct'21 - Dec'21

I was a research assistant to Prof. Juan Caballero. I conducted research on global immigration and the laws related to refugees. My work focused on understanding the legal definition of "refugee" under the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol, as well as the guidelines provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on international protection. I also studied the legal interpretation of the term "refugee" within the United States, comparing it to the international convention, and examined relevant domestic laws.

Gujarat High Court, India

Litigation Attorney, Jan'19 - July'21

During my 2.5 years of practice in India, I honed my abilities in communication, in-depth legal research, policy creation, identifying and addressing human rights abuses, and working towards setting progressive precedents in support of human rights goals.

I was involved in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) focused on revising laws related to shelter homes for women, making them more accessible for short and long-term stays and recognizing that economic independence is essential to social empowerment. Together with a team of attorneys, NGOs, independent activists, and state representatives, we were able to successfully revise the rules after struggling with competing points of view through numerous drafts. The PIL began by highlighting the issues and proposed solutions to the court, then moved to collaboration with the state in drafting the rules, conducting inspections, and finally publishing the rules for public comments. Through this experience, I gained skills in legislative advocacy and building coalitions with key stakeholders, which have been useful in my advocacy work with grassroots organizations and other civil society partners.

I was also involved in a PIL that sought to prevent the ostracization of menstruating women in both public and private settings, and to establish a legislative and advocacy framework to educate citizens to understand menstruation as a physiological phenomenon, rather than something impure. This PIL uniquely applied Indian Constitutional laws against untouchability to provide a legal basis for the state to regulate the private sphere, which is not typically covered by constitutional rights. The PIL also referenced international law and norms to place the issue in a global context. This lawsuit directly requested the state to make structural improvements by amending or creating new laws. Through this experience, I developed the ability to provide substantive policy expertise and technical assistance to state advocates and lawmakers.

I also represented lower caste Dalits who were targeted by majoritarian nationalist groups, who paraded and stripped them in public for their profession of skinning cows. This incident, known as the "Una Kand," sparked widespread questioning of state structures and the treatment of Dalits in Indian society.

In addition to the above-mentioned litigations, I have also represented farmers in land disputes, individuals in divorce and custody proceedings, companies in compliance matters, and have drafted various legal documents including privacy policies and power of attorneys. Furthermore, I have drafted guidelines and compiled judgments related to the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace laws for Gujarat State Legal Services Authority.

As a litigator, I have had the opportunity to handle a wide range of cases and make significant contributions to the fight for protecting the human rights of individuals. Although this was a challenging journey as a first-generation attorney, it was extremely rewarding in terms of its purpose and achievements.