Roopali Desai Region: Phoenix, AZ Age: 29 Profession: Attorney Program: 2007 Michigan Fellowship

Roopali was born in Toronto, Canada, where her parents were able to first obtain citizenship as immigrants from India. Soon after, they moved to Phoenix. After graduating from high school, she moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona where she obtained her undergraduate, masters, and Juris Doctor degrees.

She is currently an attorney in the private sector, practicing in the areas of commercial litigation and employment law. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked in various non-profit organizations as a public health and women’s advocate.

Highlights:

• Member of the Arizona Women Lawyer’s Association
• President of the (c)(3) Board of Directors for NARAL Pro-Choice Arizona
• Judicial Law Clerk – U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit
• Past Director of Residential Services for the Brewster Center Domestic Violence Services, Tucson
• Former Forensic Interviewer/Outreach Coordinator for Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center
• Past Project Coordinator for Pima County Health Department Health Start Program

Political Goals:

Transition experience into advocacy profession

 Meet the other 2007 Michigan Fellows