Anand Suryakant Shah

February 19, 1980 - September 5, 2013
Anand (Andy) Suryakant Shah died unexpectedly on September 5, 2013 as a result of a tragic hit and run accident in Los Angeles in which the driver fled the scene. He was 33. Memorial services were held on Sunday, September 15.

Andy was born on February 19, 1980, in Houston, Texas. He worked at the downtown Los Angeles law offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP since 2006, most recently as a legal assistant supporting the Banking Group. He holds an undergraduate degree in political science from UCLA and pursued graduate studies in journalism at Columbia University. While at Skadden, Arps, Andy aspired to earn a degree in law, hoping to bring together his interests in journalism, community involvement and activism.

Andy wrote for the California magazine India Currents and interned with the Advocate, a national publication. He was an ardent supporter of a wide variety of causes, including bringing awareness to domestic abuse, immigrant rights and matters of concern to the LGBTIQ community. In the last two national elections, Andy was actively involved in getting out the vote, demonstrated by his co-leadership of the Los Angeles chapter of South Asians for President Obama in 2012. During his studies at UCLA he was a staff reporter with the Daily Bruin and was active in the Indian Student Union and the progressive South Asian student group Sangam.

Andy is survived by his mother, father and brother. His family, friends and colleagues will remember his sharp wit and compassion, as well as his love of Indian classical dance, French films, Bollywood, gourmet food, world travel and children. He was a kind, generous soul and will be deeply missed.