Who should I interview next?
and new roles
This email goes out to 2,562 South Asian legal professionals.
Who should I interview next?
I’m taking requests for my next Khurram’s Quorum interview. Some guests from this year:
Sonal Mehta, partner at WilmerHale
Silpa Maruri, founding partner at Elsberg Baker & Maruri
Kalpana Srinivasan, co-managing partner at Susman Godfrey
Moez Kaba, managing partner at Hueston Hennigan
Who’s next? Bonus points if you can make an intro.
In case you missed it: South Asian Heritage Month 2024: White & Case
The South Asian Heritage Month runs from July 18 - August 17. Some law firms are starting to recognize this month and provide programming and resources for their South Asian lawyers. Here’s how White & Case celebrated:
To reflect the theme of this year’s South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), “Free to Be Me,” members of White & Case’s Asian Affinity Network shared their stories, including the significance of the month to them, across the Firm’s daily global news channel, The Reporter Daily.
“South Asian Heritage Month gives us the ability to reflect on our past,” shared Ajita Shukla, Counsel and Co-Chair of White & Case’s Asian Affinity Network. “For me this means the journey my parents made when they immigrated to the United States nearly forty years ago — leaving behind family and the safety of the familiarity for a chance for a brighter future. My story is not unlike many stories in the South Asian community, and this month allows all of us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to this future our families envisioned, expanding on the progress and positive impact of the South Asian diaspora.”
White & Case also hosted local celebrations throughout its global offices in recognition of the month throughout July and August.
For example, the New York office hosted a fun fact event on Wednesday, August 1, where one Asian Affinity Network representative on each floor facilitated trivia and raffle give aways (handmade chai tea and samosa candles, pictured below). Each pantry area featured posters, foods, snacks, decorations and small gifts.
The posters included information about the month’s origins, significance, important events in South Asian history, countries represented, and the Firm’s history collaborating with the Kingdom of Bhutan to establish the country's first—and only—law school, Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law).
The menu included:
Samosas
Maliban Lemon Puff Biscuits
Masala Sticks
Kurkure Munch
Assorted Flavors of Kerala Murukku
Ube and Buko Pandan Crinkle Cake Sugar Cookies
Balushahi Doughnuts
If you’re interested in pooling ideas to build out your own South Asian Heritage Month, comment below.
If you hosted a South Asian Heritage Month and you’d like to share what you learned, comment below.
Khurram’s List
I run Freshwater Counsel, a recruiting agency. To discuss a move you’re considering or a hire you’d like to make, contact me. Here’s a list of the firms my candidates are interviewing at.
Moving from biglaw to an elite litigation boutique? Let’s discuss these firms that pay above market.
NEW Energy transition work is in extraordinary demand in NYC, DC, and Houston. I’ve placed several lawyers in the last two months. I’m working closely with several firms that are growing rapidly and are willing to highly compensate talent.
NEW Structured finance, secured finance, and capital markets are experiencing intense demand in NYC, Charlotte, Chicago, and DC. I have candidates actively interviewing at elite law firms. Some firms are hiring remotely.
Pani Cooler Jobs
The mission of Pani Cooler is to build direct connections between South Asian lawyers. A key part of that is getting South Asian lawyers hired and promoted. The below roles include contact information for your colleagues. Reach out to these lawyers in a manner consistent with the goals of building community on this platform. Apply for any roles listed on the website, as available.
I run this as a service to the South Asian legal community, so if you’ve benefitted from it or you’d like to grow this community:
let me know of a South Asian lawyer who is hiring
introduce to a South Asian hiring manager
In-House
NEW Zahreen Ghaznavi: Zahreen is General Counsel at Newsweek. Zahreen’s team is hiring an Assistant General Counsel.
NEW Anuj Dharia: Anuj is Senior Director & Associate General Counsel at Lattice Semiconductor. Anuj’s team is hiring a Commercial Transactions Counsel.
Komal Mehta: Komal is Senior Counsel - Product & Regulatory. Komal’s team is hiring a (remote) Regulatory Counsel, EU/UK region.
Akaash Gupta: Akaash is Deputy General Counsel at VSCO. Akaash’s team is hiring a Product and Commercial Counsel.
Chirag Shah: Chirag is Deputy General Counsel at Novelis, Inc. Chirag’s team is hiring a Legal Counsel, Finance.
Raj Shah: Raj is Global Director of Public Sector Ethics and Compliance at McKinsey & Company. Raj’s team is hiring an Associate Director, Ethics & Integrity.
Aprajita Tyagi: Aprajita is Sr. Corporate Counsel at Elastic. Aprajita’s team is looking for a Corporate Counsel.
Nonprofit
Amol Sinha: Amol is Executive Director at American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. Amol’s team is hiring a Policy Counsel.
Swati Parikh: Swati is Assistant Dean, Office of Public Service and Pro Bono Initiatives at New York Law School. Swati’s team is hiring an Associate Director for the Wilf Impact Center for Public Interest Law.
Ashish Bhatt: Asheesh is President-Elect of SABANY. SABANY is hiring its first Executive Director.
Jasleen Singh: Jasleen is Counsel at Brennan Center for Justice. Jasleen’s team is looking for a Counsel (Entry-Level), Voting Rights and Elections Program.