California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Indian American attorney Bhanu Sadasivan to the Santa Clara County Superior Court, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished legal career.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Bhanu Sadasivan, an Indian American attorney, to serve as a judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. This appointment fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Joanne McCracken, as announced by the governor’s office on June 26.
Sadasivan’s transition to the judiciary is a notable development in her career, which has uniquely combined advanced biomedical science with complex intellectual property law. Her extensive background in both fields positions her well for her new role on the bench.
Before embarking on her legal career, Sadasivan completed her foundational education in India. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Master of Science in Immunology, both with honors, from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Following her move to the United States, she obtained a PhD in Immunology from Yale University.
After completing her doctoral studies, Sadasivan worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. During this time, she was awarded an Arthritis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and co-authored several scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Sadasivan later transitioned to law, earning her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Over the past two decades, she has built a successful career in private practice, specializing in high-stakes patent litigation, particularly in the life sciences sector.
Her legal practice has often involved complex disputes related to recombinant DNA technology, pharmaceutical formulations, antibody therapeutics, and both computer hardware and software. Sadasivan began her legal career as an associate at Heller Ehrman, where she worked from 2004 to 2008, before moving to Covington & Burling from 2008 to 2012.
In 2012, she joined McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in Silicon Valley. Her work defending major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies has earned her recognition in national directories, including Lawdragon’s Top 500 Leading Litigators in America from 2022 to 2026, Best Lawyers in America, and the IAM Patent 1000 guide.
In addition to her corporate practice, Sadasivan has actively engaged in regional civic initiatives. She has been involved with the Asian Law Alliance, a community organization dedicated to providing equal legal access to low-income and Asian American populations in Santa Clara County. Sadasivan has served the organization as both a board member and its board president.
As she steps into her new role as a judge, Sadasivan’s diverse background and commitment to public service are expected to enhance the judiciary in Santa Clara County.
According to The American Bazaar, Sadasivan’s appointment reflects her dedication to both the legal profession and her community.