ARUNDHATI MANISH TADKOD
Pune
Summary
Legal professional and academic with a strong foundation in access to justice, constitutional law, and human rights, and experience spanning litigation, research, and field-based legal work with courts, commissions, and civil society organizations. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Law, with expertise in teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development. Aspiring to pursue a PhD in International Law and Human Rights, with the long-term goal of advancing a career in academia and evidence-based legal reform.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW
PES University
Bangalore
08.2025 - Current
- Taught courses like Drafting, Pleading, Conveyancing, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, and History of the Indian Constitution.
- Mentoring students on research papers, career pathways, and academic interests, fostering critical scholarship, and growth.
- Contributing to curriculum design and pedagogical development, with an emphasis on experiential and rights-based legal education.
- Engaging in scholarly research, publications, and academic forums, while supporting student-led committees and initiatives.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE FELLOW
Migration and Asylum Project (MAP)
Delhi
07.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided legal advice on UNHCR's Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process, including documentation and appeals.
- Represented clients from diverse backgrounds, including Afghans, Somalis, Sudanese, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians.
- Conducted trauma-informed interviews to assess client vulnerabilities and build trust.
- Researched and interpreted Country of Origin Information (COI), laws, and regulations to support asylum claims.
- Prepared comprehensive documentation, including personal statements, legal submissions, and other required documents.
- Assisted with family reunification in collaboration with partner organizations.
JUNIOR ADVOCATE
Adv. Siddharth D. Agrawal & Associates
Pune
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Provided legal advice to clients on a variety of civil and criminal matters.
- Conducted research into relevant laws and regulations, interpreting them in order to advise clients accordingly.
- Drafted pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents as needed.
- Monitored court dockets and filings, ensuring timely submission of documents.
- Assisted in preparing witnesses for trial by providing guidance on testimony techniques and strategies.
- Attended hearings, conferences, mediations, depositions, arbitrations, and trials as necessary.
FRENCH TEACHER
Cambridge International School
Chinchwad Pune
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Developed lesson plans and activities that focused on French grammar, pronunciation, and culture.
- Assigned homework and evaluated student progress through quizzes and tests.
- Organized interactive group activities to reinforce learning objectives.
- Conducted individualized instruction sessions for struggling students.
LLM FIELDWORK PLACEMENT
Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
Mumbai
- Developed research strategies to locate relevant case law and statutes for assigned projects.
- Analyzed cases and other legal materials to identify key facts and legal issues.
- Conducted fact-finding visits in collaboration with the Commission.
- Contributed to a report that resulted in action being taken on the condition of a women's shelter home.
- Analyzed quantitative data and undertook various tasks assigned by the Commission.
Education
LLM - Access to Justice
School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai, Maharashtra 09.2024
BA.LL.B -
P.E.S. Modern Law College, Savatribai Phule Pune University
Pune, Maharshtra04.2022
HIGHER SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION -
St Mira's College For Girls
Pune, Maharashtra02.2017
SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION -
St Andrews High School
Pune, Maharashtra 03-2015
Skills
- Legal Research
- Legal Analysis
- Teaching excellence
- Qualitative research
- Research expertise
Certification
Enrolled Advocate, MAH/707/2023, Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa
Hobbies and Interests
History and Cultural Exploration- Passionate about history, with a focus on geopolitics, medieval eras, military history, ancient architecture, and scriptures. Gained firsthand insights by visiting historical sites, palaces, and forts across India, exploring the stories of former royalties. Actively engage in reading historical texts and taking up heritage walks to deepen understanding and draw connections between past events and modern-day world.
Awards
Won the Prize and Shield to the Best Field Work Master of Laws, (LL.M in Access to Justice 2023-24 batch)
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Marathi
- French
- Kannada
Publications and Research
- Strategic Ambiguity and the Rights of the Displaced: A Comparative Analysis of Tibetan and Afghan Refugee Experiences in India.
Working book chapter proposed for inclusion in the edited volume Public Policy, Rights & Migration in South Asia. - Gender, Statelessness, and International Humanitarian Law: The Protection Deficit for Children in the Asia-Pacific Transit Zone.
Working research paper under preparation for submission to the Asia-Pacific Journal of International Law.
Timeline
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW
PES University
08.2025 - Current
CATALYST FOR CHANGE FELLOW
Migration and Asylum Project (MAP)
07.2024 - 05.2025
JUNIOR ADVOCATE
Adv. Siddharth D. Agrawal & Associates
01.2023 - 07.2023
FRENCH TEACHER
Cambridge International School
08.2017 - 08.2018
LLM FIELDWORK PLACEMENT
Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
LLM - Access to Justice
School of Law, Rights & Constitutional Governance, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
BA.LL.B -
P.E.S. Modern Law College, Savatribai Phule Pune University
HIGHER SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION -
St Mira's College For Girls
SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION -
St Andrews High School