Pranav Battu
Junior at Washington University in St. Louis preparing for a career in law, with interests in aviation law, pilot mental health policy, regulation, contracts, and public policy. I am currently seeking legal internships that will strengthen my research, writing, compliance, and client-facing experience.
About Me
I combine interests in law, business, public policy, and aviation with experience in sales documentation, policy research, debate leadership, and organizational finance.
Legal Career Direction
After completing my undergraduate education, I intend to attend law school and pursue a career involving legal advocacy, regulation, transactions, and policy. I am especially interested in opportunities that build legal research, writing, contract review, compliance, and analytical skills.
Academic Direction
I am currently enrolled in Washington University’s Bachelor of Arts program and am in the process of transferring into Olin Business School, with the goal of graduating in May 2028 with a BSBA, majoring in Accounting and minoring in African American Studies.
Education
Washington University in St. Louis • St. Louis, Missouri
Washington University in St. Louis
- Currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program; in the process of transferring into Olin Business School
- Planned Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)
- Major: Accounting
- Minor: African American Studies
- Pre-Law focus; intends to pursue a J.D. after graduation
- Relevant Coursework: Business Ethics, Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, Organizational Behavior, Managerial Statistics
Professional Experience
Experience working with transaction documentation, customer relationships, accuracy, and cross-functional coordination.
Bob Tomes Ford — New Car Salesperson
- Sold 15 new vehicles over a three-month period while maintaining accurate transaction and documentation records.
- Reviewed purchase agreements and financing documents to ensure accuracy before deal completion.
- Coordinated with finance managers to resolve documentation issues and maintain organized deal files.
- Developed strong customer relationships through consultative sales and product knowledge.
Leadership & Policy Experience
Washington University Debate Team — Interim President & Treasurer
- Organize team practices and coordinate preparation for intercollegiate debate tournaments.
- Manage team finances, including university funding requests and documentation.
- Coordinate off-campus tournament logistics including travel planning and registration.
- Represent the organization in funding hearings and administrative meetings with university officials.
U.S. House of Representatives — Texas 3rd Congressional District, Youth Advisory Council
- Participated in policy discussions addressing housing affordability and economic opportunity.
- Conducted research on housing policy affecting local constituents.
- Contributed to a proposal for government-backed 3% fixed-rate mortgage loans for eligible first-time homebuyers.
- Presented policy ideas and analysis to congressional staff.
Plano Senior High School Debate Team — Debate Captain
- Led team practices focused on argument construction, evidence evaluation, and structured reasoning.
- Mentored new members in analytical writing, research, and public speaking.
Boy Scouts of America — Eagle Scout
- Achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, demonstrating leadership, service, and project management.
- Led troop operations and mentored younger scouts as Senior Patrol Leader.
Skills
Analysis & Compliance
Contract review, policy analysis, regulatory awareness
Technical
Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, data organization, documentation management
Communication
Written analysis, public speaking, argumentation, structured reasoning
Why Aviation Law Matters to Me
I am especially interested in the intersection of aviation safety, pilot medical certification, mental health, professional licensing, and regulatory policy.
My interest in pilot mental health began after learning about Germanwings Flight 9525, in which the first officer deliberately crashed the aircraft after experiencing serious mental health problems. The tragedy led me to focus on a difficult legal and policy question: how can aviation regulators protect passengers and the public while also creating a system in which pilots are willing to seek treatment and disclose concerns honestly?
I want to help advance a framework that treats mental health as a core aviation-safety issue while reducing incentives to hide or fabricate medical information out of fear of losing a career. My long-term goal is to contribute to legal and regulatory approaches that encourage treatment, preserve rigorous safety standards, and provide medically appropriate pathways for qualified pilots to return to flying.
I hope to pursue this work through law school, legal practice, regulatory policy, and advocacy involving the FAA and the broader aviation community.
Contact
Open to Legal Internship Opportunities
I am currently seeking internships with law firms, legal departments, government offices, aviation organizations, policy organizations, and other settings where I can gain practical legal experience.