Title: 1) Executive Director; 2) Lecturer in Law
Company: 1) South Asian Bar Association of North America; 2) University of Southern California
Location: Encino, California, United States
Mona R. Shah, Executive Director at the South Asian Bar Association of North America and Lecturer in Law at the University of Southern California, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Law and Academia.
Ms. Shah has established a notable career marked by leadership, expertise and a commitment to service in both the legal and academic fields. Since 2021, she has served as the executive director of the South Asian Bar Association of North America, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission.
Founded two decades ago to support South Asian individuals facing discrimination after 9/11, the South Asian Bar Association of North America has grown into a vital network for legal professionals. Ms. Shah’s stewardship has focused on elevating the organization to new heights, working closely with her executive committee, including the president, vice president-elect and vice president of sponsorship, to oversee daily operations, policy initiatives in Washington, D.C., and fundraising efforts. Her responsibilities also include managing staff, coordinating with event vendors and ensuring that the board’s evolving goals are met each year. Ms. Shah is proud of her contributions to the organization, which reflect her dedication to advocacy and community building.
In addition to her executive leadership, Ms. Shah has been a lecturer in law at the Gould School of Law at the University of Southern California since 2017. She also serves as the executive director within the institution. Ms. Shah’s primary focus is on legal ethics, where she draws upon her extensive litigation background to provide students with practical insights into professional responsibility. She values her interactions with students and finds fulfillment in shaping future legal professionals.
Ms. Shah’s legal practice spanned more than two decades, beginning as an associate at Porter Scott Attorneys in 1999. She continued her litigation work as an associate at Anwyl Scoffield Stepp from 2001 to 2004 before joining Palumbo Bergstrom LLP as a senior associate between 2004 and 2005. Her expertise deepened during her tenure as a senior associate at Wilson Elser from 2005 to 2014, where she specialized in employment law and real estate litigation. She also excelled as a counsel at Sacro & Walker LLP, further broadening her experience in complex legal matters between 2020 and 2022.
Ms. Shah earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, political science and government at the University of California, Irvine, in 1996 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California, in 1999. In addition to her degrees, she was admitted to practice by the California Bar Association and completed mediation training through the Los Angeles County Bar Association Civic Mediation Project, enhancing her skills in dispute resolution.
Beyond her education, Ms. Shah’s professional affiliations underscore her standing in the legal community. Her long-standing involvement with the North American South Asian Bar Association includes serving on both the Los Angeles Convention Committee in 2011 and the Washington, D.C., Convention Committee in 2017. Ms. Shah also maintains membership with the State Bar of California, has been a fellow of the American Bar Foundation since 2022, and is a member and past president of the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California. In addition to these affiliations, she is a member of Chief.
Ms. Shah’s civic engagement includes serving as a board member for Career Sparks since 2022. She also holds emeritus status on the board of the Asian Pacific Community Fund after serving as a board member from 2017 to 2019.
Throughout her career, Ms. Shah has demonstrated exceptional skill in law, academia, fundraising, staffing and board relations. Her ability to adapt quickly and foster collaborative environments has been instrumental in her success. Ms. Shah’s accomplishments have been acknowledged through multiple honors, including being named a Rising Star by California Lawyer and a Super Lawyer.
As she prepares to step down from her role as the executive director at the end of 2025, Ms. Shah looks forward to continuing her work in academia, further developing innovative courses, including one on medication and ethics. She also intends to remain actively involved in nonprofit initiatives that bring individuals together and foster knowledge sharing.
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