Varsha Govindaraju Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Law clerk assigned to the Felony Two docket at D.C. Superior Court. Analyzed a variety of trial issues including corruption bias, Rule 16 sanctions, Franks challenges, and treatment in lieu of prosecution motions. Wrote orders responding to post conviction collateral attacks such as 23-110 and Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act motions from pro-se and represented parties.

Greater Seattle Area

Assisted four appellate attorneys in appealing convictions for indigent clients. Researched and wrote opening and reply briefs on prosecutorial misconduct, improper jury instructions, and speedy trial violations. Received a concession on an opening brief for an illegal search, resulting in client having her conviction vacated.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assigned to two felony attorneys to represent indigent clients. Wrote motions to suppress evidence found through illegal traffic stops, motions to dismiss for prosecutorial misconduct, and legal memorandum about self-defense and transferred intent. Assisted with trial preparation for felony cases.

Bronx, New York

Wrote motions to dismiss for facial insufficiency, speedy trial motions and legal memorandum on bullet operability. Composed and argued a pre-plea investigation resulting in client’s release. Stood on over a dozen bail applications and negotiated offers. Collected evidence in preparation of trial. Assisted in holistic defense through housing and immigration referrals.

Greater Seattle Area

Working with Washington Appellate Project and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to file a U-Visa petition on behalf of an undocumented survivor of crime. Assisting with client interviews, declaration writing, and collecting relevant records.

Greater Seattle Area

Partnered with Tulalip Tribes to serve as the primary public defenders in criminal cases filed in their Tribal Court. Worked on felony and misdemeanor cases on behalf of incarcerated Native clients, and dependency cases for Native parents. Represented clients in arraignments, preliminary hearings, and filing relevant motions.

Oakland, California

- Conduct client intakes regarding re-entry issues for those currently and formerly incarcerated via weekly hotline- Prepare legal memos and informational letters for clients - Researched and drafted an occupational licensing re-entry toolkit as an advocacy and informational tool scheduled for publication next year- Participated in the Yurok Native Legal clinic working with those on the reservation facing legal barriers to re-entry

Cambodia

-One of 18 scholars selected to move to Asia for a year for language and cultural immersion through work placement-Spent two months learning Khmer, the local language-Work placement in the Cambodian Women's Crisis Center, working on local domestic violence and human trafficking prevention efforts for ten months at 40hrs/week

Greater Seattle Area

- Elected member of the ASUW Board of Directors overseeing 1.3 million dollars in allocations, 72 employees, and 500+ volunteers- Provided direct oversight and acted as liaison to eight diversity commissions and the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Activists (SARVA), totaling 11 employees and over 150,000 dollars in allocations- Pursued advocacy initiatives for: The Middle Eastern Student Taskforce, resolutions to disaggregate data, and incorporate diversity related questions into course evaluations- Provided cultural competency and diversity trainings to over 20 committees and advocated for underrepresented students on numerous university and state faculty councils, taskforces, and committees- Served as the ASUW liaison to over 200 diversity-related campus departments, academic units, and student organizations

University Of Washington

-Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Activists (SARVA) is under Director of Diversity Efforts-Create and teach workshops about relationship and sexual violence to 70 students-Program educational and promotional events for groups up to 250 students-Manage 5 interns and operate with a budget of $7,400 at 19hrs/week

University Of Washington

-Taught classes about Energy, Creative Writing, and Honors 100-Created lesson plans for students ages 10-20 -Graded assignments and provided student feedback at 6-25hrs/week depending on class

Greater Seattle Area

-Created legal files through pulling court cases, analyzing debt owed and interviewing clients-Worked with attorneys to hold monthly legal clinics for low income incarcerated individuals-Helped conduct research on county court misconduct at 15hrs/week

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

Activities and Societies: International Law Society (ILS), Immigration Families Advocacy Project (IFAP), Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Majors: Anthropology And Law, Societies And Justice (Lsj) Minors: Human Rights And Diversity

Activities and Societies: Third Wave Feminists, Associated Students of University of Washington (ASUW), Sexual Assault and Relationship.

Urban Social Control

Study Abroad Program at University of Amsterdam's Urban Social Control Program