Mrs. W.V. SOPHIA STELLA SARGUNAM -ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Mrs. W.V. Sophia Stella Sargunam is an accomplished academician presently serving as an Assistant Professor of Law at the Bharath Institute of Law, Bharath University, Chennai. Her academic journey reflects a consistent commitment to legal scholarship and human rights advocacy. She holds an integrated undergraduate degree (B.Com. LL.B. Hons.) and a postgraduate degree (LL.M.) with a specialization in Human Rights and Duties Education, both from the esteemed School of Excellence in Law (SOEL), Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU).
Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Law, with a research focus on the intersection of mental health, armed conflict, and international human rights law. Alongside her doctoral studies, she is also preparing to qualify the UGC-NET examination in Law, underscoring her dedication to academic advancement and research excellence.
With over two and a half years of teaching experience, Mrs. Sophia has built a strong pedagogical foundation in core legal subjects. Her teaching repertoire includes Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, Jurisprudence, Environmental Law, Law of Crimes, Law of Contracts, and Legal Methods. Her classroom approach integrates doctrinal theory with practical insights gained from her internships and legal practice, offering students a comprehensive and applied understanding of legal principles.
Before joining the Bharath Institute of Law, she gained extensive practical exposure through internships and legal research engagements. Her early training included working under prominent legal professionals such as Adv. Shankarkutralingam and Adv. Ranganayaki (AGP, Madras High Court). She also interned with reputed legal firms like Balaji Vasudevan & Co. and Corner Stone Foundations, where she was actively involved in drafting deeds and understanding procedural nuances. Her engagement with institutions such as the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission, Outlawed India, and The Law Learners further enriched her experience in legal research and human rights awareness initiatives.
Her specialization in Human Rights Law reflects her scholarly focus, with keen interests in women’s rights, child protection, cyber law, legal aid, and alternative dispute resolution. She has contributed prolifically to academic literature, with nine research papers published in reputed journals and proceedings. Some of her notable works include “Voyeurism – The 19(1)(a) Freedom of Speech and Expression” published in the Modern Law College Journal, Pune (2018); “Legal Issues of Women and Sex Work” featured in AMEYA (ISBN: 978-93-5273-955-4); “Climate Change and Carbon Tax: A Legal Perspective” in the Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research (2024); “Cyber Crimes Faced by Children and Youngsters” in Saraswathy Law College Proceedings (ISBN: 978-81-965029-0-4); and “Human Rights of Domestic Help Workers” in the White Black Legal Journal.
She has presented over six papers at distinguished academic forums, including Pondicherry University’s National Conference on Law Enforcement and Justice, the International Conference on Human Rights and Constitutional Law by Vidhi Aagaz, the National Conference at Saveetha School of Law on ADR and Criminal Justice, and the SOEL–Dr. Ambedkar Centre Conference on Environmental and Economic Sustainability, which had Scopus-indexed proceedings.
To further complement her academic profile, she has completed more than ten certification courses in diverse legal and interdisciplinary areas such as Cyber Security, Copyright Law, the Negotiable Instruments Act, Stock Market Basics, Women in Leadership, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Additionally, she holds a Diploma in Computer Applications and has cleared the CS Foundation examination.
Within the institution, Mrs. Sophia plays an active role in administrative and academic development. She serves as the Coordinator of the Legal Aid Committee, where she has organized Jan Sunwai (public hearing) camps, prison visits, legal literacy programs, and awareness workshops. As the Faculty In-Charge of the Court Visit Committee, she facilitates student visits to the Madras High Court and subordinate courts, offering practical exposure that complements classroom learning. She also contributes as a member of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Compliance Committee, assisting with regulatory documentation and academic alignment as per BCI standards.
In addition to her teaching and administrative duties, she has organized numerous institutional and outreach programs, including forensic workshops, crime scene investigation (CSI) competitions, legislative and prison visits, legal awareness campaigns in rural areas, street plays, and school mentoring programs. Her leadership skills were also evident during her postgraduate years, where she served as a student coordinator for national-level webinars.
Mrs. Sophia continues to mentor law students, supervise legal research projects, and foster experiential learning by coordinating with external legal bodies. Her holistic approach to education and human rights advocacy positions her as a committed and impactful member of the legal academic community.