In fall 2011, she launched Michigan Law's part-time externship program for students working in local government, nonprofit, or judicial placements. As director of the pro bono program, Professor Sankaran identifies pro bono projects for which law firms and organizations need law student assistance, and then recruits and guides Michigan Law students involved in the projects. After graduating, she served as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP in Washington, D.C., and as an adoption attorney at the Children's Law Center in Washington, D.C. She returned to the Law School in 2005 to become assistant director of admissions. In 2008, she became an attorney-adviser focused on government and nonprofit careers, and pro bono manager, in which capacity she was responsible for launching the Pro Bono Pledge in 2009. Professor Sankaran is a member of the Michigan Bar and its Pro Bono Initiative. She remains active in the practice of law through pro bono cases, primarily focused on child advocacy and domestic violence issues.
