Legal Director

Organization Summary:

For 25 years, the Sikh Coalition—a national, nonpartisan, community-based civil rights nonprofit—has defended Sikh civil liberties in the courtroom, the classroom, our communities, and the halls of Congress. From securing safer schools and combating hate and discrimination to promoting equal employment opportunities and empowering local Sikh communities, the Sikh Coalition works toward a world where Sikhs, and other religious and racial minorities across America, can freely practice their faith and live with dignity, free from bias and discrimination.

With nearly 22 full-time staff and over one hundred core volunteers, the Sikh Coalition operates on a $3+ million budget with complete financial transparency. The organization’s funding comes from grants, private foundations, and individual donors—never from any government agencies.

The Sikh Coalition approaches this work with integrity (sach), selflessness (seva) and with the lasting belief that our shared work holds a greater purpose (sangarsh). The organization will relentlessly pursue our goals while putting the community and these values first.

Through direct legal representation, as well as the development of legal and advocacy resources for pro se individuals, the Sikh Coalition provides both proactive and reactive support to address bias and discrimination. The organization has achieved favorable resolutions in major employment discrimination cases against private and public employers, including J.B. Hunt, Autozone, Disney, Lexus, AECOM, and the NYPD. Notably the U.S. Supreme Court cited the Sikh Coalition’s amicus brief in the seminal employment discrimination case, Groff v. DeJoy.

Additionally, the Sikh Coalition has successfully litigated and secured policy changes enabling Sikhs to serve in the U.S. armed forces while maintaining their articles of faith. The legal team also provides direct support to victims of anti-Sikh hate crimes across the country. And the organization’s growing immigration law practice includes filing habeas corpus petitions, handling related litigation, and providing legal counsel to community members regarding the impact of encounters with law enforcement on immigration proceedings.

The Sikh Coalition’s work has received national and international media coverage, including in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fox News, and NPR.

Position Summary:

The Legal Director will lead a dynamic, professional, and experienced litigation and cross-programmatic team of five who are viewed by law firms and other civil rights organizations as leading experts in areas of racial and religious discrimination, and habeas corpus filings. As part of the organization’s leadership, the Legal Director guides the organization’s litigation strategy to protect immigrant rights and religious freedom in America. They will also function as a cross-programmatic spokesperson who can translate the Sikh Coalition’s work effectively for policy changes and through local and national media. They will be responsible for overseeing staff attorneys in representing and advocating on behalf of clients in court and in general advocacy measures.

The Legal Director will provide strategic guidance in case matters and oversee legal representation in the areas of immigration, hate crimes, employment discrimination, school bullying and discrimination, racial/religious profiling, public accommodations matters, and other forms of civil rights violations in state and federal courts across the country. The Director will also lead out on cases of their own.

The Legal Director reports to the Executive Director. They will both manage and be managed remotely, so they should have the ability to oversee and guide staff, as well as stay on task, without in-person oversight.

Responsibilities:

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

• Manage all legal team personnel in an effective manner, including providing guidance and feedback on work related issues, capacity constraints, internal legal processes, and professional development matters;

• Communicate effectively with and diligently manage clients;

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

• Develop and advance a strategic litigation docket, including identifying and pursuing new cases and innovative advocacy approaches;

• Conduct legal research and draft legal memoranda;

• Draft pleadings before administrative bodies and at the trial court and appellate levels, including complaints, motions, briefs, and amicus filings;

• Conduct discovery where permitted, including written discovery, depositions, and evidentiary hearings;

• Present oral arguments in federal and state courts, including appellate courts;

• Create and maintain structure in a remote work environment to remain on task and effectively communicate with colleagues on a daily basis;

• Learn and use legal case/client management software tools, as required;

• Recruit and manage pro bono outside counsel and collaborate with other attorneys and stakeholder organizations;

• Work effectively with the organization’s staff on collateral matters (whether advocacy campaigns, media initiatives, community engagement, fundraising, etc.);

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

Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited U.S. law school and admission to the bar in at least one state;

• 12+ years of experience preferred, including experience leading civil litigation in federal and/or state courts (candidates with less should apply and may be considered depending on specific experience);

• Demonstrated success in managing a team with varying levels of legal experience;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complicated legal concepts into accessible language for a wide audience;

• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively about legal issues;

• Demonstrated passion for social justice and civil rights issues;

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

• Experience managing a diverse caseload, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced remote environment;

• Experience working effectively with legal and non-legal staff across all program areas, external co-counsel, board members, interns & fellows;

• Willingness to travel as needed for clients, casework, and team coordination.

• Punjabi language skills are a plus but not required;

• Ability to drive and valid drivers license is required;

• Belief in the Sikh Coalition’s 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;

• Proactive problem solving attitude;

• Embrace feedback and be driven by opportunities for growth.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $180,000, based on post-J.D. experience and location.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision starting the first day of work, fully covered for employees, including a zero deductible medical plan, with the option of adding family at cost to the employee.

• Ability to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Retirement contribution in a 401K plan with an immediate vested contribution match.

• Generous vacation and sick leave.

• Home office stipend.

• Paid parental leave.

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 cover letter specifically addressing why you are interested in joining the Sikh Coalition and pursuing civil and immigrant rights work, as well as your personnel management experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply online via our applicant tracking system.