Punitha Cloud

I am a Virginia trial lawyer offering a range of legal services including criminal jury trials in many counties in Virginia. Please refer to AVVO Q&A section to read some of my 10,800 or more legal answers.

The main reason I became a lawyer was that I didn’t see much diversity in the legal profession and I thought the lawyers I hired for my life events, did not understand the context or cultural background. Though I tried to find other lawyers, my searches were futile.

I am an immigrant from India who became a US citizen a long time ago. My father, grandfathers, and great grandfathers were farmers owning huge parcels of farmland in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu, and accordingly, I studied Agriculture all through PhD and became an Assistant Professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. Later I pursued computer coding- Siebel CRM at Accenture and SAP FICO at the Customs and Border Protection and later, as an Inspector at the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington, D.C.  As a DHS OIG inspector, I was trained in criminal investigations by NCIS' FLETA at Glynco, Georgia. 

My first encounter in the United States was as a graduate research fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington, D.C.in 1994. I started my career as an Agricultural Economist, as a teaching Professor, and a DAAD fellow in Germany. Later after publishing a book and marriage, a new married last name and a career in computer coding, and a beautiful daughter, I studied law. That means I bring multi-continental, multi-area, and multicultural talents to the practice of law.

I received Rosa Parks Scholarship and studied law at the only public and affordable law school in Washington, D.C., the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. My team won the ABA Client Counseling Competition Championship in Region 3. My team also won the second place at the Nelson Mandela Int'l Negotiations Competition. Some small law schools like mine produce great defenders and change agents.

I encourage people to donate to UDC David A. Clarke School of Law which shapes many African American students, immigrant women and men into fierce defenders and champions. Please check out the free legal clinics offered by UDC law. Contact the Rising for Justice Criminal Defense Clinic in Washington DC.