Staff Attorney

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, either alone or in partnership with pro bono co-counsel at large firms across the country, has favorably resolved major religious discrimination cases against various federal and state agencies including school districts, law enforcement agencies, and state prison systems, as well as against private companies such as major hospital systems, J.B. Hunt, Autozone, Disney, CareMark, and numerous others. In addition, our legal team has successfully litigated against and secured policy changes allowing for religious accommodations for Sikhs to serve in the U.S. Army and Air Force, and continues working towards equal access to employment for all Americans . Our legal team has provided rapid response support to the victims and survivors of anti-Sikh hate crimes across the country, and has worked on policy changes focused on better interpretations and applications of the law in mixed-motive bias discrimination matters. Additionally, the legal team hosts an annual CLE conference, Realizing Justice For All, which brings together thought leaders and civil rights experts on a variety of topics. The Sikh Coalition’s legal team has been 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 staff 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 intakes 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
• Represent the Sikh Coalition at a variety of meetings and speaking engagements, and to the press and media outlets.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Work Experience and Key Skills

• Bachelors and Juris Doctor degrees required;
• Bar membership in at least one U.S. based jurisdiction;
• Less than 5 years of experience;
• 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;
• Job can be based out of New York City office or remote.

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.
• 403(b) 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.