Leadership for 2022-2023
President
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.
President Elect
Sophia George
Husch Blackwell
sophia.george@huschblackwell.com
(713) 525-6242
Sophia George is a native Houstonian. 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
Husch Blackwell
sophia.george@huschblackwell.com
(713) 525-6242
Sophia George is a native Houstonian. 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.
Secretary
Anam Fazli
Adams and Reese LLP
anam.fazli@arlaw.com
(713) 308-0177
Anam Fazli focuses her practice on commercial and construction litigation, where she endeavors to develop detailed litigation strategies for her clients’ advantage. She represents general contractors, subcontractors, architects, developers, engineers, manufacturers, insurance companies, and individual business owners in construction, commercial, products liability, personal injury defense, and business disputes.
Anam handles all aspects of litigation and arbitration from inception through trial, with experience in the areas of construction and design defects, fraud, payment disputes, delay and disruption disputes, liens, premises and products liability, product failure, and warranty claims. Her experience also includes representing builders and homeowners through the Residential Construction Liability Act process in construction and mold defect disputes.
Anam Fazli
Adams and Reese LLP
anam.fazli@arlaw.com
(713) 308-0177
Anam Fazli focuses her practice on commercial and construction litigation, where she endeavors to develop detailed litigation strategies for her clients’ advantage. She represents general contractors, subcontractors, architects, developers, engineers, manufacturers, insurance companies, and individual business owners in construction, commercial, products liability, personal injury defense, and business disputes.
Anam handles all aspects of litigation and arbitration from inception through trial, with experience in the areas of construction and design defects, fraud, payment disputes, delay and disruption disputes, liens, premises and products liability, product failure, and warranty claims. Her experience also includes representing builders and homeowners through the Residential Construction Liability Act process in construction and mold defect disputes.
Special Advisor and Board Member
Meha Gargi
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
mgargi@blackstoneminerals.com
(713) 929-1624
Meha Gargi has been an exceptionally active participant in SABA Houston for the past decade, attending most of the events SABA Houston has planned for its membership and the community at large. She is honored to serve as a Board Member of SABA Houston over the past several years, most recently as the 2021-2022 VP of Events and CLE, and as Secretary for the 2022-2023 Board year.
Meha grew up in and around the Houston area and is a true Houstonian. She received her BBA in Finance and Management from the University of Houston, graduating Magna Cum laude. She then proceeded to obtain her law degree from South Texas College of Law-Houston in 2008, and licensed in November 2008.
Meha started her career in the law at both small firms and non-profits in the areas of criminal defense, including criminal appellate (CJA) research and writing, as well as family law and domestic violence focused work. Since those first few years, Meha has focused her time and efforts in the oil and gas industry for the past ten years, transitioning from running title in the field to supporting acquisitions, divestitures, and internal due diligence projects in-house, as both an independent landman and as an analyst. She currently is a Senior Division Order Analyst at Black Stone Minerals, L.P., located in downtown Houston. She also holds a Registered Professional Landman certification by AAPL.
When she is not calculating decimals to eight places, or searching for long lost heirs, you can find Meha enjoying dinner with friends, walking her rescue malti-poo Lulu at the local dog park, or naturally, at a SABA Houston event!
Meha Gargi
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
mgargi@blackstoneminerals.com
(713) 929-1624
Meha Gargi has been an exceptionally active participant in SABA Houston for the past decade, attending most of the events SABA Houston has planned for its membership and the community at large. She is honored to serve as a Board Member of SABA Houston over the past several years, most recently as the 2021-2022 VP of Events and CLE, and as Secretary for the 2022-2023 Board year.
Meha grew up in and around the Houston area and is a true Houstonian. She received her BBA in Finance and Management from the University of Houston, graduating Magna Cum laude. She then proceeded to obtain her law degree from South Texas College of Law-Houston in 2008, and licensed in November 2008.
Meha started her career in the law at both small firms and non-profits in the areas of criminal defense, including criminal appellate (CJA) research and writing, as well as family law and domestic violence focused work. Since those first few years, Meha has focused her time and efforts in the oil and gas industry for the past ten years, transitioning from running title in the field to supporting acquisitions, divestitures, and internal due diligence projects in-house, as both an independent landman and as an analyst. She currently is a Senior Division Order Analyst at Black Stone Minerals, L.P., located in downtown Houston. She also holds a Registered Professional Landman certification by AAPL.
When she is not calculating decimals to eight places, or searching for long lost heirs, you can find Meha enjoying dinner with friends, walking her rescue malti-poo Lulu at the local dog park, or naturally, at a SABA Houston event!
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
Nima Farzaneh
Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC
nfarzaneh@pcrfirm.com
(346) 353-2400
Nima Farzaneh is a Partner with Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC, and concentrates his practice primarily on assisting businesses with domestic and international tax planning and corporate matters, including entity structuring and governance, choice of entity (including partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations and C corporations), finance, tax optimization, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity sales and executive compensation, employee benefit matters, as well as assisting numerous clients with forming and investing in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds and cryptocurrency/DeFi. Nima also assists clients with federal and state tax controversy matters, including examinations and appeals.
Nima Farzaneh
Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC
nfarzaneh@pcrfirm.com
(346) 353-2400
Nima Farzaneh is a Partner with Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC, and concentrates his practice primarily on assisting businesses with domestic and international tax planning and corporate matters, including entity structuring and governance, choice of entity (including partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations and C corporations), finance, tax optimization, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity sales and executive compensation, employee benefit matters, as well as assisting numerous clients with forming and investing in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds and cryptocurrency/DeFi. Nima also assists clients with federal and state tax controversy matters, including examinations and appeals.
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.
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.
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.
