California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Indian American attorney Vasudha Talla to the state’s Civil Rights Council, a body responsible for implementing anti-discrimination laws.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Vasudha Talla, an Indian American attorney, to the state’s Civil Rights Council. This council is tasked with promulgating regulations to implement California’s anti-discrimination laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
The Civil Rights Council is composed of seven experts who hold hearings and clarify rights related to employment, housing, and public accommodations. Talla’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation, and she will receive a compensation of $100 per diem, as announced by the governor’s office.
Talla brings over 15 years of experience in complex civil litigation, having represented clients in both California and New York. Her legal practice is diverse and focuses on civil rights issues, including constitutional litigation that challenges federal, state, and local practices targeting immigrants and refugees. She has also addressed issues related to illegal prison and jail conditions, excessive force, mass surveillance, and other unlawful practices by law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, Talla has worked on cases involving First Amendment violations, access to counsel, wrongful convictions, and discrimination in employment and housing based on race, sex, age, familial status, pregnancy, and source of income.
A member of the Democratic Party, Talla has been a Partner at Emery, Celli, Brinkerhoff, Abady, Ward & Maazel LLP since 2026. Prior to this role, she served as Of Counsel at the same firm from 2022 to 2026.
Her extensive experience includes multiple positions with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California from 2017 to 2022, where she held roles such as Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Team, Senior Staff Attorney, and Staff Attorney. In 2016, she was a Legal Advisor at the International Refugee Assistance Project and also worked as a Resettlement Deployee for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Earlier in her career, Talla served as an Executive Agency Counsel and Legal and Policy Analyst at the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board from 2015 to 2016. She was also an Associate Attorney at Emery, Celli, Brinkerhoff & Abady from 2011 to 2014 and completed a clerkship with The Honourable Keith P. Ellison, United States District Judge, from 2010 to 2011. Talla was a Liman Public Interest Fellow at Sanctuary for Families from 2009 to 2010.
Talla is actively involved in the legal community, serving on the Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California and the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California.
She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature from New York University.
According to The American Bazaar, Talla’s appointment to the Civil Rights Council reflects her commitment to advocating for civil rights and social justice in California.