Much of who Swetha Shivakumar is today stems from her upbringing in a traditional Brahmin household in southeastern India. From a young age, she witnessed the subtle suppression of women’s voices, particularly those of the women closest to her. Despite her mother’s intellect and education, her opinions were often expressed quietly. This early exposure instilled in Swetha a strong desire to assert herself differently. She began channeling her thoughts and emotions into writing, nurturing an early and lasting commitment to moral and intellectual responsibility.
Swetha’s passion for the law was ignited in high school after discovering the book The Dialectics and Dynamics of Human Rights in India. The work resonated deeply and became a guiding force in her academic and professional journey. After earning her law degree with distinction from one of India’s premier institutions, she moved to the United States. Her personal and academic experiences there only deepened her resolve to practice immigration and human rights law—advocating for unity, inclusion, and justice within immigrant communities.
Swetha earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Law from Boston University School of Law, with a concentration in human rights and immigration law. During her time there, she actively represented student interests through the Immigration Law and Policy Society and the International Law Society. She previously completed her Bachelor of Law and Commerce (BCom BL Hons) at Dr. Ambedkar Law University in India, graduating with academic distinction. Her formal education, paired with extensive hands-on legal experience, has enriched Swetha’s understanding of immigration law and sharpened her dedication to social justice, advocacy, and inclusive policymaking.
In 2020, Swetha joined Mills & Born, LLC in Massachusetts as a paralegal. After passing the bar exam on her first attempt, she was admitted to the New York Supreme Court, Third Division, in September 2022. From that point forward, she served as a trial attorney specializing in removal defense, humanitarian relief, and appellate litigation. Swetha handled numerous individual hearings before EOIR and authored multiple appellate briefs for both the BIA and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In this role, she also led paralegal teams, coordinated complex litigation strategies, and developed innovative legal arguments.
This period was formative in shaping Swetha’s legal identity. Each case reinforced her belief in the transformative power of compassionate, informed legal representation. Her experience not only solidified her technical expertise but also reaffirmed her deep commitment to serving immigrant communities with empathy and rigor.
Joining Quiroga Law Office, PLLC marks a deliberate and meaningful step in Swetha’s mission to advance impactful immigration advocacy. The firm’s client-centered, compassionate approach aligns closely with both her professional goals and personal convictions. At Quiroga, Swetha is honored to collaborate with a dedicated team of legal professionals, contributing her litigation background and human rights focus to cases that matter.
Together with her colleagues, Swetha strives to break down systemic barriers, promote inclusion, and secure meaningful, lasting outcomes for immigrant families. Her goal at Quiroga is to drive transformative policy changes in immigration law, ensuring that every client’s dignity and rights are upheld with strength and integrity.
Swetha’s legal philosophy is rooted in personal experience and a profound commitment to justice and human rights. For her, immigration law is not simply a career—it is a moral imperative shaped by firsthand encounters with intolerance and structural injustice. Her mission is to advocate fiercely for inclusive, rights-based legislation while offering compassionate, trauma-informed legal representation.
She believes that true advocacy goes beyond interpreting the law; it involves challenging the status quo and envisioning new frameworks for justice. Through her work, Swetha aims to reunite families, dismantle harmful biases, and contribute to building a more equitable society. At Quiroga Law Office, her purpose is clear: to spark systemic, constructive change and leave behind a legacy of empowerment, equity, and justice.
Swetha is the proud recipient of the National Meritorious Performance Award in Parliamentary Debate and First Prize in the State-Level Essay Competition held by the State Essay Commission of India. She graduated with academic distinction from Dr. Ambedkar Law University and has been consistently recognized for her powerful advocacy and impactful litigation throughout her legal career.
Her writing has been published in the Indian Student Law Review Journal, and she continues to participate in national and international legal forums. Swetha actively contributes to discussions on women’s rights, immigration policy, and systemic reform. She remains steadfast in using her voice and writing to uplift underrepresented communities and push forward progressive legal change.