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UNITED SIKHS · 18 hours ago

Senior Staff Attorney/Legal Director

Jersey City, NJ

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

8+ years exp

UNITED SIKHS is seeking a strategic Senior Staff Attorney/Legal Director to provide legal leadership across multiple practice areas. The role involves shaping legal strategy, building partnerships, and mentoring a growing legal team.

CharityNon ProfitSocial Assistance

Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qualification

J.D. from accredited law schoolActive U.S. bar licenseCivil rights lawImmigration lawFamily lawPolicy advocacyLegal program developmentFundraising experiencePro bono managementCultural competenceLeadership skillsProject managementWritten communicationOral communicationStrategic thinkingRelationship building

Required

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