Pronouns: she/her
Neela provides legal technical assistance and training to advocates, and engages in litigation to protect the rights of asylum seekers. Neela additionally oversees CGRS's Experts Witness Database which connects advocates with expert witnesses in fear-of-return claims for relief.
Neela came to CGRS after working for four years as a staff attorney at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where she researched and reviewed cases raising claims for asylum and related forms of relief. Neela also worked in New York City for three years, representing clients in a variety of civil matters. Neela began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Harry Pregerson of the Ninth Circuit.
Languages: Spanish
Education
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, J.D., cum laude
Barnard College, B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude
Admitted to practice law in California and New York.
Honors
2021 Legal Aid Association of California Award of Merit, Legal Services Attorney