UNITED SIKHS
United SIKHS seeks a strategic Senior Staff Attorney/Legal Director to provide strategic legal leadership across multiple practice areas and build sustainable partnerships that expand legal capacity, funding, and team strength. This role is suited for a seasoned attorney or organizational builder who has not only practiced law but also helped grow legal programs through partnerships, grants, and funder engagement.
The Senior Staff Attorney will play a key role in shaping legal strategy, strengthening pro bono and institutional partnerships, supporting fundraising efforts, and mentoring a growing legal team.
Location New York / New Jersey / California
Key Responsibilities
Legal Leadership & Strategy
Provide senior-level legal expertise across immigration, civil rights, constitutional law, family law, and humanitarian relief.
Design and implement legal strategies aligned with UNITED SIKHS’ advocacy, litigation support, and policy goals.
Identify opportunities for impact litigation, amicus participation, and strategic legal interventions.
Ensure all legal work is ethically sound, trauma‑informed, and community‑centered.
Policy & Advocacy
Lead or support policy development and advocacy at local, state, federal, and international levels.
Draft legal analyses, policy memos, and advocacy materials for public and institutional audiences.
Represent UNITED SIKHS in coalitions, legislative briefings, and human rights forums.
Pro Bono & Law Firm Partnerships
Build and manage relationships with national and international law firms, bar associations, and justice institutions.
Recruit, onboard, and supervise pro bono attorneys across multiple legal disciplines.
Serve as primary legal liaison between UNITED SIKHS and external counsel.
Develop long-term pro bono pipelines and strategic firm partnerships.
Fundraising & Organizational Growth
Partner with executive leadership and development staff to raise funds that expand the legal framework and team.
Support grant writing and reporting by contributing legal strategy, impact metrics, and case outcomes.
Cultivate relationships with institutional funders, foundations, and law firm philanthropic arms.
Participate in donor briefings, site visits, and funder strategy conversations as a subject‑matter expert.
Help design sustainable funding models for legal programs and pro bono initiatives.
Program Development & Team Building
Expand and strengthen legal programs, including Umeed Helpline (Hope for families).
Help recruit, supervise, and mentor staff attorneys, fellows, and legal volunteers.
Build internal legal infrastructure, workflows, and best practices as the team grows.
Collaborate with communications and development teams to articulate legal impact.
Collaboration & Communication
Work closely with cross‑functional teams across advocacy, humanitarian aid, communications, and leadership.
Serve as a strong internal and external communicator, representing UNITED SIKHS with clarity and credibility.
Foster a collaborative, mission‑driven team culture.
Required Qualifications
J.D. from an accredited law school; an active U.S. bar license is required (NY/NJ or California).
8–12+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: Civil rights or constitutional law; Immigration and asylum law; Family law and humanitarian legal services; Policy advocacy or legislative engagement.
Demonstrated experience building or scaling legal programs or organizations.
Proven ability to partner with leadership to raise funds through grants, foundations, or institutional relationships.
Experience managing or coordinating pro bono attorneys and law firm partnerships.
Strong leadership, supervision, and project management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in impact litigation or strategic legal advocacy.
Prior work in nonprofit, international NGO, or movement‑lawyering organizations.
Familiarity with human rights frameworks (domestic and/or international).
Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or religious minority communities.
Personal Attributes
Deep commitment to civil and human rights and community‑based justice.
Strategic thinker who balances legal rigor with advocacy and growth goals.
Strong relationship builder with funders, partners, and legal professionals.
Collaborative team player and mentor.
Culturally competent, empathetic, and mission‑driven.
Expected Salary Range (U.S.-Based) Based on experience.
Application Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications described above to: resume@unitedsikhs.org.
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The Senior Staff Attorney will play a key role in shaping legal strategy, strengthening pro bono and institutional partnerships, supporting fundraising efforts, and mentoring a growing legal team.
Location New York / New Jersey / California
Key Responsibilities
Legal Leadership & Strategy
Provide senior-level legal expertise across immigration, civil rights, constitutional law, family law, and humanitarian relief.
Design and implement legal strategies aligned with UNITED SIKHS’ advocacy, litigation support, and policy goals.
Identify opportunities for impact litigation, amicus participation, and strategic legal interventions.
Ensure all legal work is ethically sound, trauma‑informed, and community‑centered.
Policy & Advocacy
Lead or support policy development and advocacy at local, state, federal, and international levels.
Draft legal analyses, policy memos, and advocacy materials for public and institutional audiences.
Represent UNITED SIKHS in coalitions, legislative briefings, and human rights forums.
Pro Bono & Law Firm Partnerships
Build and manage relationships with national and international law firms, bar associations, and justice institutions.
Recruit, onboard, and supervise pro bono attorneys across multiple legal disciplines.
Serve as primary legal liaison between UNITED SIKHS and external counsel.
Develop long-term pro bono pipelines and strategic firm partnerships.
Fundraising & Organizational Growth
Partner with executive leadership and development staff to raise funds that expand the legal framework and team.
Support grant writing and reporting by contributing legal strategy, impact metrics, and case outcomes.
Cultivate relationships with institutional funders, foundations, and law firm philanthropic arms.
Participate in donor briefings, site visits, and funder strategy conversations as a subject‑matter expert.
Help design sustainable funding models for legal programs and pro bono initiatives.
Program Development & Team Building
Expand and strengthen legal programs, including Umeed Helpline (Hope for families).
Help recruit, supervise, and mentor staff attorneys, fellows, and legal volunteers.
Build internal legal infrastructure, workflows, and best practices as the team grows.
Collaborate with communications and development teams to articulate legal impact.
Collaboration & Communication
Work closely with cross‑functional teams across advocacy, humanitarian aid, communications, and leadership.
Serve as a strong internal and external communicator, representing UNITED SIKHS with clarity and credibility.
Foster a collaborative, mission‑driven team culture.
Required Qualifications
J.D. from an accredited law school; an active U.S. bar license is required (NY/NJ or California).
8–12+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: Civil rights or constitutional law; Immigration and asylum law; Family law and humanitarian legal services; Policy advocacy or legislative engagement.
Demonstrated experience building or scaling legal programs or organizations.
Proven ability to partner with leadership to raise funds through grants, foundations, or institutional relationships.
Experience managing or coordinating pro bono attorneys and law firm partnerships.
Strong leadership, supervision, and project management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in impact litigation or strategic legal advocacy.
Prior work in nonprofit, international NGO, or movement‑lawyering organizations.
Familiarity with human rights frameworks (domestic and/or international).
Experience working with immigrant, refugee, or religious minority communities.
Personal Attributes
Deep commitment to civil and human rights and community‑based justice.
Strategic thinker who balances legal rigor with advocacy and growth goals.
Strong relationship builder with funders, partners, and legal professionals.
Collaborative team player and mentor.
Culturally competent, empathetic, and mission‑driven.
Expected Salary Range (U.S.-Based) Based on experience.
Application Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications described above to: resume@unitedsikhs.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr