Senior Staff Attorney

Job description

STAFF ATTORNEY JOB DESCRIPTION

LOCATION: New York (or Remote)

POST DATE -----

ABOUT THE SIKH COALITION:

For over 20 years, the Sikh Coalition, a national community-based, civil rights organization, has defended Sikh civil liberties in the courtroom, classroom, community, and halls of Congress. Whether it’s working to secure safer schools, combat and prevent hate and discrimination, create equal employment opportunities and access, or empower local Sikh communities, the Sikh Coalition’s goal is working towards a world where Sikhs, and other religious and racial minorities in America, may freely practice their faith without bias and discrimination.

The Sikh Coalition is a nonpartisan, civil rights nonprofit with nearly 20 full-time staff and over one hundred volunteers that operates on a $2.4+ million budget with complete financial transparency. Our funding comes from grants, private foundations, and individual donors. We receive no funding from any government agencies.

We strive to do this work with integrity (sach), selflessness (seva) and with the lasting belief that our shared work holds a greater purpose (sangarsh). We will relentlessly pursue our goals while putting the community and these values first.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sikh Coalition seeks a highly motivated Staff Attorney to join our legal team and provide direct legal assistance and advocate on behalf of Sikhs in high impact litigation matters. On a pro bono basis, we represent individuals who have been discriminated against or subject to bias based upon their religious beliefs or Sikh identity. These matters include areas of hate crimes, employment discrimination, bias-based school bullying, profiling, public accommodations, and other forms of religion-based discrimination.

The Sikh Coalition has favorably resolved major religious discrimination cases against the federal government, J.B. Hunt, Autozone, Disney, Lexus and the NYPD. In addition, it has successfully litigated against and secured a policy change allowing for Sikhs to serve in the U.S. Army with their turbans, unshorn hair, and beards intact. The legal team has provided direct support to the victims and survivors of anti-Sikh hate crimes across the country. In just 2016, the work of the Sikh Coalition’s legal team was featured nationally and internationally in media outlets including: The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fox News, NPR, etc.

In this role, the attorney will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic, professional and experienced team that is viewed by law firms and other civil rights organizations as leading legal experts in areas of racial and religious discrimination. In addition, the attorney will work with major law firms, non-profit partners, government agencies and law school clinics in a co-counseling capacity. Not only will the attorney be responsible for representing and advocating on behalf of Sikh clients, but will also function as a spokesperson who can translate that work effectively for policy changes and through local and national media.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include:

• Represent and advocate on behalf of Sikhs in a wide range of civil rights matters, including hate crimes, school bullying, profiling, employment discrimination, and other racial and religious rights issues;

• Communicate effectively with and diligently manage clients;

• Analyze clients’ claims under relevant law, advise clients, and take appropriate legal action;

• Conduct legal research, and draft legal memoranda and pleadings, and have a solid understanding of civil procedure;

• Conduct all aspects of litigation (strategizing, drafting pleadings, discovery, etc.) in civil cases before state and federal courts and administrative bodies;

• Manage intake and interview prospective clients;

• Provide information and referrals when necessary for clients to obtain assistance elsewhere;

• Recruit pro bono counsel and collaborate with other attorneys and organizations;Work effectively with the organization’s staff on collateral matters (whether advocacy campaigns, media initiatives, community engagement, fundraising, etc.);

• Take initiative in thinking through and leading out on next steps in case work;

• Personnel management of interns, fellows, and on cross-programmatic case work;

• Represent the Sikh Coalition at a variety of meetings and speaking engagements, and to the press and media outlets.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

A. Required Work Experience and Key Skills

• Bachelors and Juris Doctor degrees required;

• Bar membership in at least one U.S. based jurisdiction;

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience, preferably in litigation matters;

• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills;

• Demonstrated passion for social justice;

• Compassion for clients and ability to connect with and gain the trust of community members of diverse backgrounds;

• Bright, intellectually curious, hardworking and self-motivated;

• Able to handle a large caseload, multi-task effectively, and work independently in a fast-paced environment;

• Enjoys playing David to the world’s Goliaths, i.e., is undeterred by the complex challenges faced by our clients and the Sikh (and other vulnerable) community, and thrives on creative advocacy and strategizing of legal & non-legal solutions;

• Is a team player, i.e., is able to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff across all program areas, external co-counsel, board members, interns & fellows;

• Basic computer and LexisNexis skills;

• Punjabi language skills are a plus but not required.

B. Values and Perspectives

• Belief in Sikh Coalition values of truth, service, humility, and persistence.

• Respect for the faith-based roots of the organization and sensitivity to the specific cultural needs of the community.

• Commitment to consensus-building and shared decision making as a process.

• Proactive problem solving attitude.

• Embraces feedback and is driven by opportunities for growth.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position and compensation will commensurate with experience. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision starting the first day of work fully covered for employees. Option to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available.

• Retirement savings (equivalent to a 401K plan) with a contribution match.

• Generous vacation and sick leave.

• Paid parental leave.

• Employee perks including commuter benefits and retail discounts.

• Commitment to professional development and growth. Applicable professional membership dues can be eligible for reimbursement.

• Annual team-wide offsites with opportunity for team building, team bonding, and other activities.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

The Sikh Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Sikh Coalition is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental handicap, political belief, marital status, age, veteran status, ancestry, caste, medical condition, genetic characteristic, pregnancy, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, reproductive health choices, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit a current resume and a substantive cover letter highlighting interest and relevant experience.