Senior Counsel

• Aug 2017 - Present

• Effectuate progressive social change and expand the rights of vulnerable minority communities by providing strategic legal consulting on high impact civil rights and EEO investigations, litigation, campaigns and policy initiatives invoking Title VII/§1981, RFRA/RLUIPA, Title II, Title IV/VI, constitutional claims, state and federal hate crime laws, etc. • Successfully investigate, counsel and represent clients in employment & school discrimination cases. • Advocate for law and policy that expands the rights of minority communities. Author detailed civil rights-related public comment submissions on proposed federal government rule-making. • As a national Sikh civil rights expert, provide training and mentorship to attorneys and staff, create and provide external civil rights/EEO CLE trainings, and engage in media/communications work. Show less

Legal Director

• Jun 2008 - Aug 2017

• Investigated, selected and successfully litigated a docket of high impact cases that safeguarded & expanded the civil rights of Sikh Americans and other minorities. Counseled and represented hundreds of clients in employment discrimination, school discrimination, hate crimes, public accommodations, religious rights and civil rights matters, invoking Title VII, § 1981, the First Amendment, RFRA, RLUIPA, Title II, Title VI, etc. Participated in and conducted all aspects of civil litigation (primarily in federal courts). Co-counseled and litigated with ACLU, LCCR, EEOC, DOJ and law firms of all sizes. • Collaborated closely with policy and community development partners to advance high-level strategic civil rights and EEO advocacy campaigns, including the integration of observant Sikhs into the US military. Represented the interests of the Sikh community & organization before government agencies, legislatures and elected officials.• Recognized as a national expert on the civil rights & workplace rights of Sikhs. Quoted in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, ProPublica, etc. Invited to speak at American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section and National Employment Lawyers Association CLE conferences, and at Stanford Law, UC Berkeley Law, UCLA Law and other universities. • Was responsible for the organization’s Legal Program. Oversaw all legal work, case management, and intake. Supervised & trained staff attorneys, fellows, legal interns & volunteers. Solicited and maintained long term pro bono firm & attorney relationships. Show less

Staff Attorney

• Feb 2007 - Sep 2008

• Investigated and litigated a docket of high impact civil rights cases. Conducted all aspects of civil litigation, including drafting of legal pleadings & filings, conducting of discovery, settlement negotiations, etc.

Associate

• Feb 2004 - May 2006

• Litigated at a mid-sized plaintiffs’ boutique specializing in employment and race-based employment discrimination matters brought under Title VII and § 1981, including individual, multi-plaintiff, and complex class action cases. Investigated new cases. Interviewed clients and witnesses. Analyzed evidence. Conducted research and drafted a variety of pleadings, including complaints, motions, and oppositions. Conducted all aspects of discovery, including drafting of discovery requests and responses, and taking and defending of depositions. Strategized and liaised with statistical experts and co-counsel. Participated in settlement conferences and mediations. Show less

Law Clerk

• Aug 2002 - Aug 2003

• Drafted opinions on civil and felony criminal matters heard by the judge, including District Court and administrative appeals, complaints for declaratory judgment, post conviction, habeas corpus and coram nobis petitions, and motions to correct illegal sentence. Conducted legal research, reviewed and analyzed complex issues, and drafted bench memoranda. Assisted the judge during trials and hearings, and acted as a liaison to the attorneys and jurors. • Drafted opinions on civil and felony criminal matters heard by the judge, including District Court and administrative appeals, complaints for declaratory judgment, post conviction, habeas corpus and coram nobis petitions, and motions to correct illegal sentence. Conducted legal research, reviewed and analyzed complex issues, and drafted bench memoranda. Assisted the judge during trials and hearings, and acted as a liaison to the attorneys and jurors.

Legal Intern

• Jan 2001 - Apr 2001

Paralegal, Consumer/Housing Unit

• Jun 1997 - May 1999