Welcome to my website! My name is

Dhanya
Sethuraman

Incoming JD Candidate · Santa Clara University School of Law · Tech Edge JD Program

Dhanya Sethuraman

About Me

Hi! I'm Dhanya Sethuraman, an incoming JD Candidate at Santa Clara University School of Law. I'm enrolled in the Tech Edge JD Program, a specialized milestone-based certificate. It's the only program of its kind in the country, designed to give law students hands-on tech law experience.

I am excited by the challenge of both protecting patient autonomy and promoting innovation in the spaces where healthcare, technology, and the law intersect. My interests currently center on intellectual property, AI governance in healthcare, and litigation. I am also eligible to sit for the patent bar and plan to explore this path further during law school.

I spend a lot of time in motion or in creative practice. I teach and perform Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form that keeps me grounded in discipline and storytelling. On quieter days, I am usually exploring new trails across the Bay Area, chasing good views to photograph. I also enjoy envisioning and executing plans for solo travel, often through overly detailed spreadsheets.

University of Michigan
B.S. Biology, Health, and Society (2022–2025)
Santa Clara University School of Law
Tech Edge J.D. Candidate (2026–2029)

Interests & Hobbies

💃 Bharatanatyam 🥾 Hiking 🌌 Tracking the Northern Lights ✈️ Solo Traveling 📸 Photography

Experience

📄  Download Resume

Intern — Prosecutorial Misconduct, Post-Arraignment & Pre-Trial Release Units

San Francisco Public Defender's Office · San Francisco, CA
  • Co-built an AI-assisted review pipeline that cut attorney review time
  • First contact in pre-arraignment; interviewed clients in SF County jails
  • Connected clients to support programs based on changed circumstances

Team Leader

Kinease Case · Ann Arbor, MI
  • Led 5-person team building a device that secures insulin pumps during exercise, reducing pain and exercise barriers for diabetics
  • Gained hands-on exposure to the provisional patent process through presentations to VC and IP professionals

Elected Legislative Representative, Chair of Ethics Committee, & Disability Advocacy Liaison

University of Michigan Central Student Government · Ann Arbor, MI
  • Engaged 6,000+ students in CSG legislation through petitions, driving the highest student-government election turnout in U-M history
  • Authored 10+ policy resolutions and directed investigations as Ethics Chair
  • Launched an initiative placing occupational therapy equipment across campus for neurodivergent students

Student Researcher

Scott Soleimanpour Lab, Michigan Medicine · Ann Arbor, MI
  • Genotyped and profiled mitochondrial-dysfunction genes in type 1 diabetes

Awards & Honors

🎓
Emery Merit Scholarship
SCU Law · 2026 · Awarded to entering JD students for outstanding academic merit.
🏅
University Honors
U-M · 2022, 2023, 2025 · Recognition for outstanding undergraduate academic performance during the year.
🏆
Winner — FUEL Competition
U-M Center for Entrepreneurship · 2025 · Won funding from U-M's flagship Fuel program by pitching Kinease Case.
🏆
Winner — Entrepreneurial Creativity Club Pitch Competition
U-M · 2025 · First place among 20+ teams pitching the Kinease Case insulin-pump device.
Finalist — Castle Placement GO VC Competition
Castle Placement · 2025 · Selected as our school's finalist in the national CPGO VC pitch competition, judged by venture capitalists and seasoned entrepreneurs.
🌱
Sustainability Honors Cohort
U-M · 2022–2025 · For students advancing the practice of sustainability ethics at U-M.

Testimonials

"

I had the pleasure of meeting Dhanya in 2025 while guiding her through the law school admissions process. She is kind, thoughtful, discerning, collaborative, personable, and one of the few people you meet who brings a positive and joyful disposition to any interaction. She is an attentive listener, and a virtuous and service-oriented person with a keen eye for detail; it certainly does not take long to recognize why she has such a strong track record as a young leader and professional!

MB
Director Michael Bracelin
Baylor Law
"

I have known Dhanya for nearly four years through the Central Student Government at the University of Michigan. In that time, I have witnessed her intellectual and social growth as both a student and a team member on a variety of projects. She seeks out situations where a helper is needed. Dhanya is undeniably resilient too. Challenges that cause others to falter wouldn't faze her one bit. She carries herself with a trademark enthusiasm and sense of optimism. She inspires that optimism in her classmates too — Dhanya exudes positivity wherever she goes.

I can see Dhanya fitting into so many legal pathways: as a pro-bono defender of the poor, as an immigration rights defender, as an ESG-savvy Big Law lawyer, or as a future judge on any level of bench. Her talents could lead her in so many directions, yet all of these would be geared toward service to people in need. I have no doubt Dhanya — the perfect example of a friend, leader, and advocate — would be the perfect candidate for your program.

TW
Tyler Watt, J.D.
Michigan Law '25 · Attorney, Willis Law
"

Dhanya was an absolute delight to work with as a teammate. She excelled in project management, work delegation, and kept team dynamics strong. Dhanya has a way of maintaining a positive attitude in any given situation, and she made co-leading with her easy and enjoyable. Her consistent reliability, honesty, and empathy are what makes her a wonderful leader.

SW
Sarah Wang
U-M Ross School of Business, M.M. '26 · Co-Leader, Kinease Case

Publications & Writing

Review Article · IJHSR
The Role of Stress-Induced Inflammation in Schizophrenia
IJHSR · 2021 · DOI 10.36838/v4i2.7
Read on IJHSR →
Research Paper · Pioneer Academics
Evaluation of Mental Imagery as an Intervention for Arm Dysfunction Post-Stroke
Pioneer Academics · 2021 · Written under the guidance of Dr. Jane Sullivan, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
View Paper →
Business Analysis · ORGSTUDY 208
Increasing Participation in Patagonia Textile Recycling Programs: A Strategic Proposal for Collaboration with Amazon Supply Chain Services
University of Michigan · ORGSTUDY 208 · 2025
View Paper →
Research Report · CSG
Intended Spaces on Campus for Students with Disabilities: Reflection Room Equipment Report
University of Michigan Central Student Government · 2022 · For the Zimmerman-Hillman Administration, as Disability Advocacy Liaison
View Paper →

Scroll horizontally to view more →

Get in Touch