MEHAR THAKUR
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant and Client Specialist
Law Offices of Cheri E. Michaelis
San Jose, CA
08.2025 - Current
- Draft, revise, and prepare 20-30 estate planning instruments and probate filings per week, ensuring compliance with California statutory and procedural requirements.
- Coordinate 5-10 client matters weekly, tracking multi-stage case timelines and maintaining zero missed filing deadlines.
- Prepare and submit court documents under strict procedural rules, verifying execution accuracy prior to filing.
- Serve as primary client liaison, explaining complex legal processes and documentation requirements to ensure informed execution.
- Maintain confidential client records and case management systems in compliance with professional and ethical standards.
National Youth Organizing Fellow
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Washington, DC
07.2025 - Current
- Selected as 1 of 1 national cohort of 10 students for a competitive constitutional advocacy fellowship.
- Track federal legislation and litigation related to First Amendment and reproductive rights.
- Draft policy summaries and educational materials translating complex constitutional developments.
- Organize 5 civic engagement events on campuses, including multi faith panels and issue-based town halls.
- Coordinate outreach and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with 3 national and campus partners.
Lobby Corps Committee Member
Associated Students at San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
09.2025 - Current
- Represent a campus population of 40,000+ students in structured advocacy meetings with California state legislators.
- Research and analyze higher education and budget-related legislation, reviewing statutory language and funding implications.
- Prepare written advocacy briefs and talking points to support coordinated policy engagement.
- Communicate legislative updates and policy impacts to student stakeholders.
Vice President
Democrats At San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
10.2025 - Current
- Lead voter engagement initiatives serving a campus population of 40,000+ students, coordinating outreach and event promotion.
- Organize student delegations to the California Democratic Party Convention, scheduling meetings with elected officials and staff in local government and arrange for 3 speakers to speak at meetings.
- Develop digital communications every week and promotional materials for candidate forums and issue-based town hall.
- Collaborate with local campaigns and student organizations to increase political participation on campus.
Legislative Intern & IDEAS Lab Fellow
County of San Mateo
Redwood City, CA
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Conducted legislative and regulatory analysis on measures affecting housing, transportation, and county governance affecting 700,000+ county residents.
- Drafted briefing materials and weekly policy memoranda evaluating fiscal impact for senior staff.
- Monitored 8 Board agendas, committee hearings, and executive agency updates to assess policy implementation.
- Synthesized research findings into structured reports to inform strategic decision-making.
Research Assistant
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
05.2025 - 07.2025
- Designed and administered 3+ survey instruments, collecting responses from 100+ participants.
- Cleaned and analyzed quantitative datasets using structured coding methods to identify trends.
- Reviewed and synthesized 15+ academic sources to support faculty-led research conclusions.
- Produced 5+ written research summaries translating findings into structured reports.
Education
Bachelor's of Arts - Political Science
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA08-2024
Skills
- Policy Analysis
- Legal Document Preparation
- Client Intake and Communication
- Legislative Tracking
- Survey Design
- Team leadership
- Media relations
- Proposal writing
- Legislative research experience
- Scheduling skills
- File and records maintenance
- Time management
Languages
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Punjabi
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Vice President
Democrats At San Jose State University
10.2025 - Current
Lobby Corps Committee Member
Associated Students at San Jose State University
09.2025 - Current
Legal Assistant and Client Specialist
Law Offices of Cheri E. Michaelis
08.2025 - Current
National Youth Organizing Fellow
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
07.2025 - Current
Legislative Intern & IDEAS Lab Fellow
County of San Mateo
05.2025 - 08.2025
Research Assistant
San Jose State University
05.2025 - 07.2025
Bachelor's of Arts - Political Science
San Jose State University