2027 Board of Directors Elections

Vice President of Gala

Aditi Sehgal Shah

I seek to serve as Vice President of the SABA-DC Gala because it is the one night our whole community gathers in one room: judges, government attorneys, firm partners, and law students. The 2026 Gala keynote by Cvent CEO Reggie Aggarwal inspired me to help shape the next one.
Events are my passion; I even took a detour from law to pursue events management at CFPB.

As President of the WHLDP Alumni Association, I organize galas and conferences. At the State Department, I chaired programming for Executive Women at State. As Co-Chair of SABA North America’s Labor and Employment Law Section, I unite employment attorneys nationwide from all sides. I am an Attorney Investigator at Oppenheimer Investigations Group, with 18 years of federal experience. As a State Department Grievance Attorney, I investigated discrimination, harassment, performance, misconduct, termination, and pay matters.
My gala goals:

• Add a cocktail-hour Connection Lounge where committee and section leaders welcome  newcomers and spark lasting connections.

• Celebrate South Asian “firsts” in public service, from Dalip Singh Saund in 1957 to the leaders sworn in this January, and spotlight members serving in government and the judiciary.

I also propose a new SABA-DC Labor & Employment Section. Our members practice on every side: plaintiff, defense, government, and investigations. It would offer CLE programming, mentorship, and a professional home.

If not selected as Vice President, I would welcome serving as Chair of the Investigations and Litigation section or the proposed Labor & Employment Section.

I would be honored to serve.

General Director

Varoon Modak

I am excited to seek another term on the SABA-DC Board as a General Director. This was my first year on the Board, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to become more involved in the organization and contribute to its continued growth and success. I served as Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee this year, and am particularly proud that thanks to the effort of the Board, we had our most financially successful gala ever. I would welcome the chance to continue that momentum and further strengthen our fundraising going forward. In light of recent events and challenges to the legal profession, I'm also very interested in contributing to SABA-DC's public interest initiatives and its engagement with the broader legal community. I'd appreciate the opportunity to continue serving on the Board, but regardless, look forward to working with all of you to build on everything that SABA-DC has accomplished this year.

Manal Cheema

I am grateful for the support SABA-DC has provided to me throughout my legal career, starting in law school when it selected me as one of the Public Interest Fellows. I am eager to give back and I would especially like to be on the PIF committee. My bandwidth is a bit limited this fall, but I am open to supporting any other public interest events that my schedule permits.

Trisha Kondabala

I am interested in participating in the Community Outreach and Public Interest Fellowship Committees because of my professional experiences in these particular areas and my strong belief in the power of public service. I began my career as a legal aid attorney, working towards closing the access to justice gap by leading a pro bono clinic for low-income seniors. I coordinated clinics with pro bono staff at firms, public interest programs at DC law schools, and advocacy groups in the area. Currently, I provide legislative support for a DC Councilmember, and a large part of my role consists of collaborating with local stakeholders, including nonprofits, legal aid organizations, and agencies. I hope to be a resource by helping to build lasting connections with the communities and organizations that I have been lucky to interact with in my time in the District.