SABA-CO Annual Gala 2026 (12 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SABA-CO serves both the interests of South Asian attorneys as well as the larger community through substantive programming, community outreach, and legal support. This year, SABA-CO’s Gala will feature traditional dance performances and recognition of our award winners: The Cornerstone Award, The Service and Leadership Award, The Young Lawyer Award, and The SABA-CO Scholarship.

Your sponsorship of this historically sold-out event demonstrates your support for SABA-CO as well as its mission to the legal community and community at large. The gala sells out quickly, so secure your attendance with sponsorship opportunities.

Membership Discount

To receive a membership discount, please sign-up here. Once signed up, please log-in in the top right-hand corner and register.

Dress Code

The dress code is South Asian Cultural, Formal or Cocktail. SABA has always encouraged our members and guests to wear South Asian formal attire but no need to buy anything new if you do not own any South Asian cultural attire!

Seating

All guests attending will receive assigned seating at reserved tables for dinner.

Parking

Onsite parking is available at Mile High Station and designated overflow parking lots next door.

Dinner

A traditional Indian dinner will be served with plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans.

After Party

After the Gala, please join us at The Original Brooklyn’s (within walking distance) for more fun and cheer.

**Platinum / Cocktail / Gold / Silver / Bronze Table Registrants:

After completing online registration and payment form, please email the list of guests for your organization to deep@sabaco.org by November 2, 2026.

Award Information:

The Cornerstone Award granted to a SABA-CO member for their long-time contributions to the SABA-CO, Colorado Bar, and the broader South Asian community. The ideal candidate will have been practicing law (as an advocate, judge, or neutral) for more than ten years.

The Service and Leadership Award granted to a person or organization (including non-lawyers) for their service to the South Asian community and other underserved populations. The ideal candidate or organization will have volunteered significant time to advancing the health, safety, autonomy, or opportunity of underserved populations.

The Young Lawyer Award granted to a SABA-CO member who has distinguished themselves from their peers and shows exceptional promise for the future. Eligible candidates will have been practicing law for fewer than ten years. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have dedicated significant time to government or other public service.

The SABA-CO Scholarship granted to a law students for their achievement in and out of school. The ideal candidate will have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, volunteer work, social activism and a commitment to the South Asian community. The award will be accompanied by a $1500 award, paid directly to the student, for their discretionary use.

The SABA-CO Executive Board considered all nominations and determined the award recipients. All award recipients will be recognized at the Annual SABA Gala on November 12, 2026

Special thanks to our Platinum Title Sponsor this year:

Jones Law Firm, PC

Special thanks to our Cocktail Title Sponsor this year:

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Special thanks to our Gold Sponsors this year:

SABA-CO 2026 Award Recipients

Cornerstone Award: Ruchi Kapoor

The Cornerstone Award recognizes a SABA-CO member for their longstanding contributions to SABA-CO, the Colorado bar, and the broader South Asian community. Ruchi is currently an Assistant Attorney General at the Colorado Department of Law. Prior to the DOL, Ruchi served as the first appellate director at the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, where she was tasked with statewide oversight of attorneys representing parents on appeal in child welfare cases. In 2015, Ruchi served as President of SABA-CO and in 2022 served as President of the Denver Bar Association.

Service and Leadership Award: Harry Budisidharta

The Service and Leadership Award recognizes a person or organization for their service to the South Asian community and other underserved populations. Harry works with government officials and community partners to address health disparities in Colorado's refugee and immigrant communities. A graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, Harry has been recognized for his advocacy with the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network's Immigrant Liberty Award, the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition's ADA Access Award, the Governor Ralph Carr Service Award, and the Mayor's Diversity Award.

Young Lawyer Award: Teresa Akkara

The Young Lawyer Award recognizes a SABA-CO member who has distinguished themselves among their peers and shows exceptional promise. Teresa is an associate at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, where she represents clients in high-stakes appeals and complex commercial litigation and has briefed matters before the U.S. Supreme Court and five federal circuit courts. A past president of SABA-CO, Teresa clerked for Justice Carlos A. Samour, Jr. on the Colorado Supreme Court and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

SABA-CO Scholarship Recipients
The SABA-CO Scholarship recognizes law students for their achievement in and out of school, and includes a $1,000 stipend for each recipient. This year, we are proud to award two scholarships.

Nicholas Dawar

Nicholas is a 2L at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Before law school, he served five years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, then spent eight months volunteering at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego's self-help clinic, where he helped participants in English and Spanish respond to eviction cases. This past summer, he served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Kathryn Starnella at the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and he plans to pursue a clerkship and a career in public interest law.

Divya Moolamalla Doughty

Divya is a 3L at the University of Colorado Law School. After feeling the lack of a South Asian community during her own 1L year, Divya founded and now leads Colorado Law's South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA), creating a space for South Asian students and allies and partnering with other affinity groups and DU Law's South Asian law students to build connections across the community. She also volunteers with the Colorado Lawyers Committee, supporting research on election law and on threat assessment policies for Colorado public schools.

SABA - Colorado upcoming events

SABA-CO Annual Gala 2026 (12 Nov 2026)

SABA-CO 2026 Award Recipients