Aashritha is a passionate legal advocate with a deep interest in protecting animals trapped in intensive industries and in the wild.
Aashritha completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at Monash University in 2020, where she competed in an animal law moot and interned/volunteered with various animal law organizations and firms. In this time, Aashritha was privileged to have the opportunity to participate in various animal law projects, including contributing to drafting a country-based animal cruelty index; developing a legal guide for animal activists; drafting multiple parliamentary submissions on areas ranging from mulesing to the sentencing/penalties for animal cruelty offences; and working for carers of wild animals. She also worked with two indigenous rights legal organizations and participated enthusiastically in moot competitions in Australia and around the world.
In 2021, Aashritha began working in a civil litigation practice in one of the biggest law firms in Australia. After approximately two years, Aashritha moved to the federal government where she worked with policy officers and legislation drafters to develop climate change laws.
Outside of the law, Aashritha is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer with over 20 years of experience in learning, teaching, performing, and choreographing. She volunteers weekly at youth study classes in Melbourne, and enjoys spending time with people, animals and in nature.
Aashritha commences this academic year with great excitement for the experiences she will have, as well as gratitude to CALS, Lewis & Clark, and the generous donors of the scholarship for the incredible learning opportunity that this Animal Law LLM presents to her!