From The Peopling of New York City

Questions:

1.Where are you from in the US?

Dallas, Texas

2.Is there a South Asian community there?

Yes. My father is the oldest of 10 and my mother is the youngest of 9. We are lucky enough to have quite a bit of our own family surrounding us as well as a thick ethnic community.

3.Where is your family from?

Kerala, India… we emigrated from there in 1984, to Burundi, Africa and then in 1988 as a result of the Hutu/Tutsi war; we were forced to come to America.

4.What do your parents do for a living ?

My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a registered oncology nurse.

5.Why do you want to be a lawyer?

This is a tough one. The main reason is because it is my choice. I was accepted to medical school prior to applying to law school and chose not to pursue my medical training. Law school allows me to retain the gratification of clichés that are important to me; i.e.: ‘helping others’ and ‘making a difference’, just as physicians do. However, the field of medicine, though specialized, is quite narrow. The law is prevalent in every facet of life and the opportunity for variety this degree presents in my future is exactly what I am striving for in my career.

6.What kind of law would you like to practice?

It is still very early in my legal education to be 100% sure as to what I will be practicing in 2 ½ years, but at this point I see myself in immigration law. As an immigrant myself and part of a large community; this field of law is an extremely important issue in the political climate. Advocates who are passionate are necessary and a commodity for all sides of the argument.

7.Have you thought of working in a specialization that would service specific South Asian needs, why or why not?

Not really. Mostly because I was raised color blind. I have always been taught and reminded to explore, understand, and respect my culture but that was constantly balanced with exploring, understanding and respecting others. I want to serve peoples need; not any particular race of people.

8.Would you consider joining a South Asian lawyers association?

Definitely. I would also join an Asian-American Association. For me these associations are for networking purposes and social interaction.

9.Where are you thinking of practicing law?

New York City, New York and Austin, Texas after I have a few years under my belt. --Sfox 12:36, 20 April 2009 (UTC)