| The Center for Individual Rights added two exceptional senior litigators and reorganized its leadership team in response to a growing case load and accelerating momentum in its mission to restore and protect the fundamental liberties necessary for a free and flourishing society. Darpana Sheth, a nationally recognized public-interest litigator, has assumed the role of General Counsel and will also spearhead the organization’s First Amendment litigation practice. Sheth brings more than two decades of experience and a record of success advancing individual rights in courts, legislatures, and public opinion. She joins CIR from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), where, as Vice President of Litigation, she expanded the organization’s litigation department from two to more than 20 attorneys, while broadening its mission from a campus focus to defending free expression nationwide. Before FIRE, Sheth was a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice, where she led its National Initiative to End Forfeiture Abuse. Her views on legal issues have been featured in major news outlets including CNN, The Washington Post, Forbes, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Prior to her public-interest legal career, Sheth served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York and worked in private practice as a litigation associate at the Manhattan law firm of Chadbourne & Parke LLP. She also served as law clerk to Judge Jerome A. Holmes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Mike Petrino brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as a partner at Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Throughout his career, he litigated a diverse array of private and public cases, including several with public interest components. Petrino began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Edith H. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to law school, he worked with CIR co-founder Michael Greve on federalism issues, a subject he has remained passionate about throughout his professional journey. Petrino will focus primarily on litigating competitive federalism cases at CIR but will also assist with cases in CIR’s other two practice areas, free speech and equal protection. Michael Rosman, CIR’s longtime and well-respected General Counsel, will continue his work with the organization as Executive Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. His ongoing leadership and litigation work—hallmarks of his three-decade tenure—will remain vital assets to CIR. CIR President Todd Gaziano beamed about the additions to the CIR team, “Darpana and Mike’s impressive experience and shared commitment to safeguarding individual rights further energize the entire CIR team. Their expertise will be invaluable as we continue our work to restore competitive federalism, protect free speech, and ensure equal protection for all Americans.” This strategic expansion follows CIR’s significant growth over the past 18 months, during which it has doubled its staff and docket of cases while adding other key members to its leadership team. Darpana Sheth’s bio can be found here. Mike Petrino’s bio can be found here. |
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