PRESIDENT

Simar K. Ahluwalia is an attorney at Pazzani & Sandhu LLP, in Glendale, CA. She represents employers in a wide variety of employment-related litigation, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful discharge.

She earned her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and International Studies from UC Irvine and her juris doctorate degree from UC Irvine School of Law.

Outside of the office, Simar spends her time trying local restaurants, baking cookies and sourdough bread, and dancing (bhangra and kathak). 

TREASURER

Suma Mathai is a Los Angeles-based attorney focusing on access to justice issues and trauma-informed advocacy. She is a legal consultant for non-profit and governmental organizations, including the Judicial Council of California, and an adjunct lecturer at USC Gould School of Law and Loyola Law School.

Previously, she worked at non-profit legal aid organizations in LA representing teens and immigrants in domestic violence and family law cases. Suma holds a joint JD/MSW from the University of Southern California.

Suma currently serves on the South Asian Bar Association of North America’s Judicial Endorsements committee. She served as the SABA-SC President from 2005-2006 and is a co-founder of the SABA-SC Public Interest Foundation. 

SECRETARY

Gowri Cheepurupalli is a Litigation Associate at Sehat Law Firm PLC in Newport Beach, California, where she focuses on police misconduct, excessive force, and wrongful death cases, reflecting her broader commitment to civil rights and public interest advocacy.  In addition to her role on SABA-SC PIF Board, she is also a member of SABA’s Racial Justice Task Force.

She earned her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, where she served as President of the Student Bar Association. Prior to law school, Gowri served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, working primarily with the Ministry of Gender Affairs to develop and expand gender-based violence policies and support systems.

In her free time, Gowri enjoys running, trying new foods—especially hole-in-the-wall restaurants—and traveling.

GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

Trishta Dordi is an attorney who advocates for employees and civil rights through plaintiff-side litigation, including matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. 

In 2023, Trishta earned her J.D. from Loyola Marymount Law School, where she founded and served as President of the Homeless Rights Law Society, served as the President of Criminal Law Society, and as a clinical student in Loyola's Project for the Innocent. 

Trishta has worked at non-profit organizations where she assisted individuals seeking humanitarian relief and immigration support. During undergraduate studies at New York University, she also volunteered with Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, where she developed and taught English as a Second Language classes for nearly four years.

Outside of her professional work, Trishta is a certified yoga teacher, loves stand-up comedy, and may be obsessed with sushi. 

LAW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Reza Ali is a rising 2L at UCLA School of Law. He currently serves as a Staff Editor for the Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law, Mentorship Co-Chair for the Public Interest Students’ Organization, and as a Board Member for the National Lawyers Guild.

This summer, Reza will be a 2026 1L Legal Intern at the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law. Next summer, he will be a 2027 2L Summer Associate at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd.

If you dig deep enough, you can find Reza in a 2020 Daily Show skit about Zoom substitute teachers!