South Asian Bar Association of Austin

09/25/2026

Our statement condemning the divisive comments targeting Texas Football fans.

09/25/2026

We came to network with the Austin Asian American Bar Association but we also got to network with the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin! Fun evening of reconnecting and networking. Referrals were given and cards exchanged! Thanks to everyone who came out!

Make sure to watch for HBAA’s financial literacy programming! Let’s amp up our philanthropy!

Ps - don’t forget that SABAA’s life membership is only $300 and you get your very own magnetic name tag!

09/24/2026

Don’t forget to join us tonight for our monthly networking happy hour. This month Austin Asian American Bar Association is joining us at Better Half. Join us tonight after work!

09/21/2026

Travis County Women Lawyers' Association hosted the first ever Leadership of Affinity Bars Workshop ( LAB Work) where all of the local bar associations were invited to collaborate and discuss current issues and plans. It was an exciting and energizing day. Thanks to all the organizations that were able join us today: Austin Bar Association and the DEI and LGBTQ sections, Austin Young Lawyers Association, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, South Asian Bar Association of Austin, LILAs, MAMAS, Sisters in Law and Travis County Women Lawyers Association.

Austin is fortunate to have a so many legal professionals organizations focused on elevating the practice of law.

Thanks Melissa Prentice Lorber and Judge Sherine Thomas for co-chairing the day with. It was a wonderful day.

07/13/2026

If you have not registered for Wednesday’s CLE, please do so soon as it will be a great discussion with some Supreme Court luminaries!

⚖️ The Supreme Court’s 2025–2026 Term was one of the most closely watched in recent memory, delivering decisions that will shape constitutional law, administrative law, civil rights, religious liberty, federal litigation, and the broader legal landscape for years to come.

Join SABA Houston, South Asian Bar Association of Austin, and SABA Dallas for our annual Supreme Court Update, featuring an exceptional panel of advocates whose collective experience includes arguing before the Court, briefing dozens of cases, and helping shape the conversations around some of the Term's most significant decisions.

🔗 REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/3SXufMj

🔹Pratik Shah (Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP) – Head of Akin's Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, with 18 arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court and lead counsel in this Term's landmark tariff decision, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump.

🔹Eric Rassbach (The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty) – Veteran Supreme Court advocate with more than 100 cases briefed before the Court and multiple Supreme Court victories, including involvement as amicus counsel in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections.

🔹Raffi Melkonian (Wright Close Barger & Guzman) – Accomplished appellate litigator who successfully argued and won Fort Bend County v. Davis before the U.S. Supreme Court and is widely recognized for his appellate advocacy and commentary.

🔹Thaila Sundaresan (Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) – Appellate litigator with an active Supreme Court practice focused on significant constitutional issues, including service as amicus counsel in Barbara v. Trump.

🔹Kalpana Peddibhotla (South Asian American Justice Collaborative) – Veteran civil rights advocate and amicus counsel in this Term's closely watched birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara.

Together, our panel will unpack the Term's most significant decisions, discuss emerging legal trends, and explore the practical implications for lawyers, businesses, policymakers, and communities across the country.

📅 July 15, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM CT
💻 Zoom | Link will be sent to registrants the morning of the event.
🎓 1.0 MCLE Credit Pending

We look forward to welcoming attorneys, judges, law students, and legal professionals for an insightful and engaging discussion.

07/04/2026

Upcoming statewide SABA CLE!

The Supreme Court just closed out one of its most consequential terms in years — and we're bringing you the lawyers who were in the arena.

Join SABA Houston, SABA Austin , and SABA Dallas for our annual Supreme Court Update, a panel review of the 2025–2026 term featuring advocates who have collectively briefed and argued dozens of cases before the Court:

⚖️ Pratik Shah (Akin) — head of Akin's Supreme Court practice, 18 arguments before the Court, and lead counsel in this term's landmark tariff decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, 607 U.S. ___ (decided Feb. 20, 2026)

⚖️ Eric Rassbach (Becket Fund for Religious Liberty) — two Supreme Court arguments, two wins, 100+ cases briefed at the Court, including as amicus counsel in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections (decided June 23, 2026)

⚖️ Raffi Melkonian (Wright Close Barger & Guzman) — argued and won Fort Bend County v. Davis (2019), Dean of Appellate Twitter at

⚖️ Thaila Sundaresan (Davis Wright Tremaine) — appellate litigator with an active Supreme Court practice on significant constitutional issues, including as amicus counsel in Barbara v. Trump (decided June 30, 2026).

⚖️ Kalpana Peddibhotla (SAAJCO) — amicus counsel in this term's birthright citizenship case in Trump v. Barbara (decided June 30, 2026) and veteran civil rights advocate

📅 July 15, 2026 | 🕛 12 PM CT | 💻 Zoom | 1.0 hour MCLE pending

Zoom link will be sent out to registered attendees the morning of the event.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/supreme-court-update-2025-2026-term-tickets-1993201729027?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/29/2026

Official photos are in! Congratulations again to Chair Rashmin Julie Asher on winning a Rising Star award from the SABA North America - South Asian Bar Association of North America!

06/20/2026

Congratulations to our very own Rashmin Julie Asher for winning a Rising Star Award this year!

06/12/2026

We are proud to share that Chair Rashmin Julie Asher will receive a Rising Star award next week at the national conference. Please join us in congratulating her!

SABA North America is honored to present the Rising Star Award to Rashmin Asher!

Rashmin Asher is Senior Associate at Spencer Fane, LLP in the Environmental and Energy Law Section focusing her practice on administrative and utility law. Rashmin represents utilities and municipalities in proceedings before governmental and regulatory boards throughout Texas. Rashmin began her legal career with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office, where Rashmin worked as an appellate attorney prior to moving to Austin, Texas.

Rashmin equally enjoys her life outside of work and in the Austin community. She is President of the South Asian Bar Association of Austin (SABAA) and Director of the Administrative Law Section of the Austin Bar Association. Outside of her community activities, she can be found at one of Austin’s various workout studios or outdoors at one of Austin’s various parks with friends.