Job Description

UNITED SIKHS seeks a strategic Senior Staff Attorney/Legal Director to provide strategic legal leadership across multiple practice areas and to 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

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

Job Tags

Local area,

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