Leadership for 2021-2022
President
Nishi Kothari
Brasher Law Firm
nishi@brasherattorney.com
(409) 832-3737
Nishi Kothari is a partner at the Brasher Law Firm. Her practice focuses on Plaintiff-side bad faith first party and third party insurance claims as well as complex commercial personal injury claims. She is an experienced litigator and has not yet lost a case that she has taken to trial. She dedicates all of her time to fighting for her clients, no matter the size of their case.
Prior to joining the Brasher Law Firm, Nishi was a Limited Partner at Arguello, Hope, and Associates. She is a graduate of the Keenan Trial Institute. She graduated from The University of Texas School of Law, and was an Executive Editor of the Texas International Law Journal. She was honored with a public service scholarship award while at UT Law for her work for immigrant rights. She also graduated magna cum laude from New York University. In her spare time, Nishi and her husband are always on the hunt for the best queso in town, and always welcome recommendations!
Nishi Kothari
Brasher Law Firm
nishi@brasherattorney.com
(409) 832-3737
Nishi Kothari is a partner at the Brasher Law Firm. Her practice focuses on Plaintiff-side bad faith first party and third party insurance claims as well as complex commercial personal injury claims. She is an experienced litigator and has not yet lost a case that she has taken to trial. She dedicates all of her time to fighting for her clients, no matter the size of their case.
Prior to joining the Brasher Law Firm, Nishi was a Limited Partner at Arguello, Hope, and Associates. She is a graduate of the Keenan Trial Institute. She graduated from The University of Texas School of Law, and was an Executive Editor of the Texas International Law Journal. She was honored with a public service scholarship award while at UT Law for her work for immigrant rights. She also graduated magna cum laude from New York University. In her spare time, Nishi and her husband are always on the hunt for the best queso in town, and always welcome recommendations!
President Elect
Mukul Kelkar
Dentons
mukul.kelkar@dentons.com
(713) 658-4600
Mukul Kelkar is a member of Dentons' Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, focusing on general commercial litigation. He has experience representing matters involving shareholder / partnership disputes, real estate disputes, and qui tam litigation. Prior to joining Dentons, Mukul was the assistant district attorney for the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office.
A graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a native of the Dallas area, Mukul is embracing his life in Houston. Mukul also graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he met his wife.
Mukul Kelkar
Dentons
mukul.kelkar@dentons.com
(713) 658-4600
Mukul Kelkar is a member of Dentons' Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, focusing on general commercial litigation. He has experience representing matters involving shareholder / partnership disputes, real estate disputes, and qui tam litigation. Prior to joining Dentons, Mukul was the assistant district attorney for the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office.
A graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a native of the Dallas area, Mukul is embracing his life in Houston. Mukul also graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he met his wife.
Secretary
Sophia George
Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP
sophiageorge@warejackson.com
(713) 659-6400
Sophia George is a native Houstonian and joined Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP in 2021. A five-time national and regional moot court champion, Sophia was recognized as a top advocate at several competitions while in law school. She also served as a Senior Associate Editor for the St. Mary’s Law Journal.
Sophia’s practice consists of commercial litigation, labor and employment law, energy/oil and gas litigation, insurance law, and personal injury. In addition to legal expertise, she brings relevant technical experience in the midstream oil and gas sector.
In her free time, Sophia enjoys serving as a guest legal analyst for various local and national news outlets, boxing, and exploring Houston’s vibrant art scene.
Sophia George
Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP
sophiageorge@warejackson.com
(713) 659-6400
Sophia George is a native Houstonian and joined Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP in 2021. A five-time national and regional moot court champion, Sophia was recognized as a top advocate at several competitions while in law school. She also served as a Senior Associate Editor for the St. Mary’s Law Journal.
Sophia’s practice consists of commercial litigation, labor and employment law, energy/oil and gas litigation, insurance law, and personal injury. In addition to legal expertise, she brings relevant technical experience in the midstream oil and gas sector.
In her free time, Sophia enjoys serving as a guest legal analyst for various local and national news outlets, boxing, and exploring Houston’s vibrant art scene.
Treasurer
Winfield Williams
Kwok Daniel Ltd., LLP
wwilliams@kwoklaw.com
(713) 773-3380
Winfield Williams received his Law Degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. Winfield has a Plaintiff's personal injury injury practice, where he regularly fights on behalf victims injured by the wrongful conduct of individuals and companies. Winfield has first chair trial experience in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties. During law school, Winfield participated in South Texas' nationally recognized advocacy program, interned at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and clerked at a prominent Houston personal injury law firm. He also studied international law and human rights law in Santiago, Chile. Winfield has been an active member of SABA Houston since 2012. Winfield's favorite Houston restaurant is Squable.
Winfield Williams
Kwok Daniel Ltd., LLP
wwilliams@kwoklaw.com
(713) 773-3380
Winfield Williams received his Law Degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. Winfield has a Plaintiff's personal injury injury practice, where he regularly fights on behalf victims injured by the wrongful conduct of individuals and companies. Winfield has first chair trial experience in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties. During law school, Winfield participated in South Texas' nationally recognized advocacy program, interned at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and clerked at a prominent Houston personal injury law firm. He also studied international law and human rights law in Santiago, Chile. Winfield has been an active member of SABA Houston since 2012. Winfield's favorite Houston restaurant is Squable.
Vice President of Communications
Parth Gejji
Beck Redden
pgejji@beckredden.com
(713) 951-6288
Parth Gejji is an associate attorney at Beck Redden, working primarily in the appellate group. Parth has a long track record of appellate work as a former federal appellate law clerk, clerking for the Honorable Patrick E. Higginbotham of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Parth graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review. He was also a member of the UT Law School's Supreme Court clinic, where he worked on briefing for the United States Supreme Court.
Parth Gejji
Beck Redden
pgejji@beckredden.com
(713) 951-6288
Parth Gejji is an associate attorney at Beck Redden, working primarily in the appellate group. Parth has a long track record of appellate work as a former federal appellate law clerk, clerking for the Honorable Patrick E. Higginbotham of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Parth graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review. He was also a member of the UT Law School's Supreme Court clinic, where he worked on briefing for the United States Supreme Court.
Vice President of CLE and Events
Meha Gargi
Meha Gargi
Vice President of Community Outreach
Saira Siddiqi
Bradley
ssiddiqui@bradley.com
(713) 576-0353
Saira Siddiqi is a native Houstonian. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and personal injury, specifically in the energy and construction fields. She has extensive experience in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation matters in state and federal courts across Texas. A graduate of the South Texas College of Law, Ms. Siddiqui is an active member of the State Bar of Texas, serving as the Houston chairperson for the Young Construction Lawyers Committee. She is also a member of the Houston Young Lawyers Association.
Saira Siddiqi
Bradley
ssiddiqui@bradley.com
(713) 576-0353
Saira Siddiqi is a native Houstonian. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and personal injury, specifically in the energy and construction fields. She has extensive experience in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation matters in state and federal courts across Texas. A graduate of the South Texas College of Law, Ms. Siddiqui is an active member of the State Bar of Texas, serving as the Houston chairperson for the Young Construction Lawyers Committee. She is also a member of the Houston Young Lawyers Association.
Co-Vice President of Fundraising and Sponsorship
Shahmeer Halepota
AZA Law
shalepota@azalaw.com
(713) 655-1101
Shahmeer Halepota is a commercial litigator with mediation, international arbitration, and state and federal trial experience. His trial experience includes a 16-day federal jury trial and post-trial appellate work. Mr. Halepota’s previous clients have included various multinational corporations as well as the Republic of South Sudan. As an associate for the global law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP in New York, he assisted in representing clients in ICC, UNCITRAL, and ICSID arbitrations and helped secure a $700 million dollar award for a satellite and telecommunications company against the Indian space agency in a Delhi-seated ICC arbitration concerning the repudiation of a long-term lease agreement. His jury trial experience includes a favorable verdict for an estate in a federal trial against a U.S. bank involving fraud and RICO claims. He has also worked on a number of pro bono asylum claims, including obtaining Special Immigration Juvenile Status for three children from El Salvador.
As a law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Mr. Halepota was the Co-President of the Boalt Hall Student Association, a member of the moot court team, and a member of the admissions committee. While an undergrad at Emory University, he met with U.S. House subcommittee chairmen on behalf of the advisory board of a political action committee.
Shahmeer Halepota
AZA Law
shalepota@azalaw.com
(713) 655-1101
Shahmeer Halepota is a commercial litigator with mediation, international arbitration, and state and federal trial experience. His trial experience includes a 16-day federal jury trial and post-trial appellate work. Mr. Halepota’s previous clients have included various multinational corporations as well as the Republic of South Sudan. As an associate for the global law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP in New York, he assisted in representing clients in ICC, UNCITRAL, and ICSID arbitrations and helped secure a $700 million dollar award for a satellite and telecommunications company against the Indian space agency in a Delhi-seated ICC arbitration concerning the repudiation of a long-term lease agreement. His jury trial experience includes a favorable verdict for an estate in a federal trial against a U.S. bank involving fraud and RICO claims. He has also worked on a number of pro bono asylum claims, including obtaining Special Immigration Juvenile Status for three children from El Salvador.
As a law student at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Mr. Halepota was the Co-President of the Boalt Hall Student Association, a member of the moot court team, and a member of the admissions committee. While an undergrad at Emory University, he met with U.S. House subcommittee chairmen on behalf of the advisory board of a political action committee.
Co-Vice President of Fundraising and Sponsorship
Mahira Khan
Jackson Walker
mkhan@jw.com
(712) 752-4250
Mahira Khan is an associate attorney at Jackson Walker, in the real estate group. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Mahira served as a judicial intern in the Texas First Court of Civil Appeals, and a judicial intern to the Hon. Nancy F. Atlas of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Before studying law, Mahira oversaw the sourcing and logistical operations of a textile recycling brokerage start-up run as a family business with her brother, who is still active with the company.
Mahira graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School cum laude, and received her bachelor's from the University of Houston. While at Notre Dame, she received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Election Law. Additionally, she is a member of the American Public Health Association and used to volunteer at Texas Children's Hospital and Texas Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Mahira Khan
Jackson Walker
mkhan@jw.com
(712) 752-4250
Mahira Khan is an associate attorney at Jackson Walker, in the real estate group. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Mahira served as a judicial intern in the Texas First Court of Civil Appeals, and a judicial intern to the Hon. Nancy F. Atlas of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Before studying law, Mahira oversaw the sourcing and logistical operations of a textile recycling brokerage start-up run as a family business with her brother, who is still active with the company.
Mahira graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School cum laude, and received her bachelor's from the University of Houston. While at Notre Dame, she received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Election Law. Additionally, she is a member of the American Public Health Association and used to volunteer at Texas Children's Hospital and Texas Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Vice President of Gala
Nadia Gire
Orgain, Bell, and Tucker
ngire@obt.com
(713) 333-6700
Nadia Gire is a partner at Orgain, Bell, and Tucker, in the Houston office. She is an experienced trial attorney, involved in a broad range of insurance, business and commercial disputes. Her practice focuses in on first- and third-party insurance work, coverage evaluations, contract disputes, tort claims, construction litigation / arbitration, and shareholder rights litigation.
Nadia graduated from South Texas College of Law, and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Austin. She is actively involved in the Houston community, and volunteers for non-profit organizations, including The Baylor Teen Health Clinic, Texas Children's Hospital, The Landing, and Risala Foundation. She is also an active member of the Junior League of Houston, the State Bar of Texas Women in the Profession Committee, and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow since 2017 (a nomination presented to only the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys).
Nadia Gire
Orgain, Bell, and Tucker
ngire@obt.com
(713) 333-6700
Nadia Gire is a partner at Orgain, Bell, and Tucker, in the Houston office. She is an experienced trial attorney, involved in a broad range of insurance, business and commercial disputes. Her practice focuses in on first- and third-party insurance work, coverage evaluations, contract disputes, tort claims, construction litigation / arbitration, and shareholder rights litigation.
Nadia graduated from South Texas College of Law, and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Austin. She is actively involved in the Houston community, and volunteers for non-profit organizations, including The Baylor Teen Health Clinic, Texas Children's Hospital, The Landing, and Risala Foundation. She is also an active member of the Junior League of Houston, the State Bar of Texas Women in the Profession Committee, and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow since 2017 (a nomination presented to only the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys).
Liason to SABA National
Raj Mahadass
Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP ("PMR Law")
rmahadass@pandmllp.com
(832) 667-7700
Raj Mahadass is a Managing Partner and Shareholder at Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP ("PMR Law") and represents plaintiffs in complex civil/commercial litigation, class actions, and personal injury litigation. While working with the team at PMR Law, Mr. Mahadass has represented radiation exposure victims, employment discrimination victims, those injured in automobile accidents, cyber bullying victims, students injured by their school, and many others, against insurance companies and other types of corporations.
Mr. Mahadass is a proud member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, where he serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee. Recently, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association named Mr. Mahadass its board member of the year. Mr. Mahadass additionally serves as a member of the Houston Bar Association’s Membership Committee as well as its Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Mr. Mahadass is also on the board of the Tulane University Alumni Association of Houston, where he serves as President for over 5,000 alumni in the Houston area. Mr. Mahadass has spent over 6 years on the SABA Houston board, including past President. In his spare time, Mr. Mahadass enjoys playing golf, watching a variety of sports, exploring the Houston restaurant scene, and spending time with his family and friends.
Raj Mahadass
Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP ("PMR Law")
rmahadass@pandmllp.com
(832) 667-7700
Raj Mahadass is a Managing Partner and Shareholder at Paranjpe Mahadass Ruemke LLP ("PMR Law") and represents plaintiffs in complex civil/commercial litigation, class actions, and personal injury litigation. While working with the team at PMR Law, Mr. Mahadass has represented radiation exposure victims, employment discrimination victims, those injured in automobile accidents, cyber bullying victims, students injured by their school, and many others, against insurance companies and other types of corporations.
Mr. Mahadass is a proud member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, where he serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee. Recently, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association named Mr. Mahadass its board member of the year. Mr. Mahadass additionally serves as a member of the Houston Bar Association’s Membership Committee as well as its Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Mr. Mahadass is also on the board of the Tulane University Alumni Association of Houston, where he serves as President for over 5,000 alumni in the Houston area. Mr. Mahadass has spent over 6 years on the SABA Houston board, including past President. In his spare time, Mr. Mahadass enjoys playing golf, watching a variety of sports, exploring the Houston restaurant scene, and spending time with his family and friends.
