Sumithra Rao earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 2003. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in 2007. 

While at Southwestern, Ms. Rao served as a co-chair on the Board of Governors for the Moot Court Honors Program.  She also served as an associate editor for Southwestern’s Journal of Law and Trade in the Americas.  In 2006, Ms. Rao was a member of the Semi-Finalist team in the Spong Moot Court Competition in Williamsburg, Virginia. She also worked as a teaching assistant, assisting Southwestern students in the area of Federal civil procedure. 

        

 Ms. Rao has extensive experience with issues affecting small to mid-size businesses. She specializes in wage and hour class action litigation, employment discrimination litigation, employment transaction, commercial litigation disputes, business formation, and trademark transaction and litigation.  Ms. Rao also has experience providing small to mid-size businesses with California wage and hour compliance training.

Ms. Rao is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Central District of California. She also has filed motions with the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board, and has made appearances before the Office of the Labor Commissioner for the State of California, Department of Labor Standards Enforcement.  

In her spare time, Ms. Rao enjoys attending music concerts, cooking, watching European soccer, and spending time with her family.