Thaila Sundaresan
Partner
Co-chair, Women Attorneys Affinity Group
Thaila Sundaresan is a seasoned litigator and regulatory attorney who helps clients resolve complex disputes and navigate high-stakes regulatory challenges. She represents businesses across industries in trial courts, arbitrations, and appeals, and advises on regulatory, policy, and compliance matters before state and federal agencies.
Thaila's litigation practice spans trial work and appellate advocacy. She handles trials and arbitrations for a wide range of clients, managing every phase from strategy through verdict. On appeal, she has briefed and argued numerous cases in federal and state courts, spanning issues from First Amendment and employment law to energy and communications. Before joining the firm, Thaila spent six years at the Federal Communications Commission, where she led major appellate cases involving spectrum policy, broadband deployment, and emergency communications systems.
As a regulatory lawyer, Thaila regularly appears before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and other state commissions, advising clients on rulemakings, transfers of control, licensing requirements, and compliance strategies. Her ability to combine legal precision with practical solutions helps clients overcome regulatory hurdles to achieve their business objectives.
Thaila also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing clients before the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts in cases involving significant constitutional issues. Her commitment to public service underscores her dedication to advancing justice and shaping important legal issues.
With deep experience in litigation, appeals, and regulatory advocacy, Thaila delivers clarity and results where law, policy, and business intersect.
Practice Highlights
CPUC regulatory advocacy
Appellate and regulatory litigation
Supreme Court litigation
Admitted to Practice
-
California, 2009
-
District of Columbia, 2010
-
Massachusetts, 2012
-
U.S. Supreme Court
-
U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
-
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
-
U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
-
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
-
U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Education
-
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 2008, magna cum laude
- Order of the Coif
- Order of the Barristers
- Henry Zoller Leadership Scholar
- National Moot Court Team
-
B.A., International Relations, Stanford University, 2000, with honors
- Chappel Lougee Scholar
- Chappel Lougee Scholar
Memberships & Affiliations
-
- Board of Visitors, University of Maryland Carey School of Law, 2024-present
- Chapter Representative, Executive Committee, 2024-2025; Co-chair, Northern California Chapter, 2020-2025 – Federal Communications Bar Association
- Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2022–present
- Co-Chair, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California Judicial Endorsements Committee, 2022–present
- Board President, LEAP (Legal Education Access Pipeline), Inc., 2022-present
- Foundation Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2021-2022
- Barrister, Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, 2018-present
- Board Member, University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association, 2014-2019
- Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston, 2012-2014
Professional Recognition
-
- Recipient, Unity Award, California Minority Bar Coalition, 2023
- Fellow, South Asian Bar Association Leadership Institute, 2022-2023
- Honoree, "Wonderful Women," Lawyers of Color, 2023
- Leadership Advancement Program Fellow, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2020-2021
Background
-
- Appellate Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., and San Mateo, Calif., 2015-2021
- Senior Associate, Appellate & Trial Litigation, WilmerHale, Boston, 2011-2015
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Theodore A. McKee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, Philadelphia, 2010-2011
- Appellate Associate, Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C., 2009-2010
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Deborah K. Chasanow, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, Greenbelt, M.D., 2008-2009