$ 250-265 per hour
Punitha Cloud
About Punitha
Biography
I am a Virginia trial lawyer who provides a diverse range of legal services, including criminal jury trials, in several counties, including Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Culpeper, and Fredericksburg. Please refer to the AVVO Q&A section to read some of my 16,250 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.
My first entry in the United States was as a Graduate Research Fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington, D.C. DEI is a wonderful gift and IFPRI is a non-profit institute gifting diverse opportunities to international PhD students such as myself, around the globe.
I am an immigrant from India who became a US citizen decades 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 programming in the United States - MS in Information Systems and worked in Siebel CRM at Accenture and SAP FICO at the Customs and Border Protection. Later, I switched to Federal Govt employee status and worked as an Inspector at the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington, D.C. My team did audits of the detention centers in Texas. As a DHS OIG inspector, I was also trained in criminal investigations by NCIS' FLETA at Glynco, Georgia.
I started my career as an Agricultural Economist (India), as a teaching Professor (TNAU), a graduate research fellow (IFPRI) and a DAAD fellow (JLU, PhD) in Germany. Later, after publication of a book and marriage, a new married last name and a career in computer coding, and my beautiful daughter, I pursued law school. That means I bring multi-continental, multi-area, and multicultural legal experience to the practice of law.
I received the Civil rights leader 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 in Philadelphia. My team also won the second place at the Nelson Mandela Int'l Negotiations Competition in Wisconsin. 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.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
80%
9 years | 300 cases
Child Abuse
10%
9 years | 20 cases
Contracts and Agreements
10%
9 years | 20 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Virginia for 8 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Location
Law office of Punitha Cloud
(contact by email or ph for appt), Woodbridge, VA, 22192
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Punitha Cloud's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 49 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Angel v | July 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Very awesome!
Punitha I can’t thank her enough for everything she did for me ! I did a huge petty lawrceny and she managed to get me out of the situation. No jail time she helps you get your life back on track she’s awesome. I thank God I found her she’s the best at what she dose. If I can recommend anybody I wou...
Posted by Stephanie | April 14, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Shipping costs responsibility
I had a question about shipping costs to send equipment back to my previous employer after being terminated. She advised they should be responsible for the costs and suggested I include a receipt for reimbursement. I believe I will go that route to see if they reimburse prior to taking additional ste...
Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Did all possible to acomplish gold
Exelente abogada nos ayudo demasiado y siempre está pendiente aún después de cumplir la meta
Posted by anonymous | December 4, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Attorney
I cannot express enough my gratitude for the exceptional service I received from Punitha Cloud, Esq regarding my case. From the very beginning, Ms. Cloud was professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate, putting my mind at ease during what was a very stressful time. Punitha took the time to thoro...
Posted by LIGIA | November 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Lawyer
She is very responsible, she gave me her time at all times, very attentive and communicative. She achieve a positive Solutions. I recommend her 100%.
Punitha Cloud's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse attorney Punitha Cloud. Attorney Cloud is an expert in the field of immigration law and generously shares her kniwledge ans expetience at the avvo forum."
"I endorse Attorney Cloud for the contribution on this platform. This effort helps many seeking legal services in Criminal Law and Immigration Law, among other areas of law. I endorse and recommend Ms. Cloud without any reservation."
"I endorse attorney Cloud as a competent and caring attorney. Her answers at this forum provide meaningful guidance."
"Ms. Cloud volunteers countless hours to answer inquiries on the Avvo community question and answer forums. Her commitment to helping others without personal benefit is commendable."
"I have read multiple answers on avvo by Punitha Cloud. I find that she takes the time to answer the question fully and displays an excellent understanding of the law. I endorse this lawyer."
"I have been impressed by her answers on Avvo; am even more impressed after texting and speaking with her IRL. Would refer clients to her with absolute confidence they'd be well-represented and cared for."
"Based on countless encounters here at Avvo, I can say this is an attorney who knows her stuff and who knows how to explain things so that a layperson can understand. Therefore, I endorse this lawyer."
"It is clear from Punitha's education, experience and responses on AVVO that she is a knowledgeable and capable advocate who cares about her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse and recommend Ms. Cloud."
"I have been impressed by Ms. Cloud's answers on the Avvo Q&A section for quite some time. She clearly takes time to offer insightful answers and strives to be helpful to those seeking information via this forum. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Cloud provides a much needed service on Avvo. She donates her time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Cloud provides a much needed service on Avvo. She donates her time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."
"Ms. Cloud has a broad base of knowledge and offers valuable insights to readers."
"Punitha Cloud is sharp as a tack and an extremely effective litigator. Very detail oriented. I would not hesitated to recommend her to friends or family."
"The answers of Ms. Cloud are accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"Ms. Cloud is a fierce attorney who fights for her clients. Very well versed in the law and always prepared. I fully endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is attentive, knowledgable and a zealous advocate for her clients."
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
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Experience
Honors
2024
2024 Pro Bono Service Honor Roll, The Virginia Access to Justice Commission
2019
2019 Bronze Member of the Rule 6.1 Society, Legal Services of Northern Virginia
2014
Nelson Mandela Int'l Negotiations Competition - Second place, National Black Law Students Association
2012
ABA Client Counseling Region 3 Champion, American Bar Association https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/events/competitions/client-counseling/
2012
Mock Trial Team Member, Law School
2012
Dean's list, Law school
2011
Civil rights Rosa Parks Scholarship, UDC Law
1993
DAAD Scholarship for PhD - 1993 to 1997 -Giessen, Germany, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service)
N/A
ASPEE junior fellowship for masters in Agriculture, ASPEE Agricultural Research & Development Foundation
N/A
Merit scholarship, Indian National Merit Scholarship Scheme
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Virginia Attorney, Private Practice, Fairfax County
2016 - 2016
Law Clerk, US Army Corps Of Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee
2016 - 2018
Inspector, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Washington D.C.
2015 - 2015
Trainee, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington D.C.
2014 - 2014
Criminal law clinic, D.C. Law Students in Court (now known as Rising for Justice)
2008 - 2014
Tech Consultant at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Virginia -InfoPro
2004 - 2006
Developer/Consultant, Accenture, Ltd. Seattle, Washington State
1997 - 1997
Assistant Professor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
1997 - 1998
Data Analyst, Private Industry Council
1993 - 1997
PhD DAAD Fellow in Germany, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
Associations
2017 - Present
Fairfax Bar AssociationMember
2017 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Dec 2023: Commonwealth V. C.R. Cedillos
Dismissed
Oct. 4, 2023 Commonwealth v. J A Soza: Strangulation, abduction, and Object penetration (rape) charges
Motion to dismiss criminal charges based on new evidence was granted.
July 11, 2022 Commonwealth v. E, Oscar : Circuit court appeal- Trial - Judge With Witnesses
GDC convictions and jail time are overturned/acquitted.
August 2-4, 2021 Jury trial on MS13 Gang Abduction charges two counts § 18.2-47
Jury found my client not guilty on two felony abduction charges and that was a victory. The jury found him guilty on minor charges and my client was released from jail on the sentencing day.
Feb 2021 - Enter House Armed, Larceny etc, § 18.2-91.
Not Guilty
March 2020 Foster care removal - Sanchez case -CPS case
With our defense, the child was returned to my client-mother
Education
2015
David A. Clarke School of Law University, Washington, D.C.
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
University of Wisconsin
Other - MS in Information Systems
1997
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany DAAD Fellow https://www.uni-giessen.de/index.html
PhD
N/A
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
MS - Master of Science
N/A
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
BS - Bachelor of Science
Publications
2018
2018
DHS Office of Inspector General
TSA's Adjudication Resources are Inadequate to Meet TSA PreCheck Enrollment Goals
1999
Germany Lit Verlag (May 1, 1999) ISBN-13: 978-3825829681
Poverty and Food Security of Small Farm Households in South India: Impact of Various Policy Instruments
Languages
English
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How does a lawyer get relieved from a criminal case from the judge?
16 Feb 2026
Q&A
What can I Do???
15 Feb 2026
Q&A
What to do if you get detained although you have a new court date in Northampton Va?
15 Feb 2026