Jamaal Thomas Email & Phone Number

New Haven, Ct, Us

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

In this role, I manage complex investigations into allegations of violations of University policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment, manage accommodation programs for faculty members with disabilities and ensure compliance with the ADAAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and advise stakeholders in the adoption of best practices for access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

New Haven, Ct

Engage with the Yale community to ensure our commitment to equitable and inclusive working and learning environment by addressing concerns about discrimination and harassment and managing the accommodation process for faculty members with disabilities. Assist with OIEA professional development and training initiatives.

100 Wall Street, New Haven, Ct 06511-3760

My specific responsibilities included:•Investigating complaints of alleged discrimination and harassment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; •Working with faculty and staff to design and implement programs to increase staff diversity;•Monitoring personnel activities, including staff and faculty recruitment for compliance with university policy and discrimination law;•Supporting efforts of University Title IX Coordinators to address gender equity and discrimination issues;•Developing educational programs to help staff and faculty understand the value of diversity, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and how to address behaviors that violate University policy; and •Coordinating and implementing Yale’s Employment Accommodation Program.I also assisted with OIEA training and professional development initiatives. I created an “Introduction to Yale’s Employment Accommodation Program for Employees with Disabilities” workshop (delivered at Diversability At Yale (employee affinity group supporting individuals with disabilities) sponsored events in 2018 and 2019 and a Yale University Library event in 2021). Contributed to the Recognition and Prevention of Sexual Harassment workshops for supervisors delivered between 2016 and 2019. Delivered (or co-delivered with my supervisor) seventeen workshops in FY20 (the last fiscal year in which workshops were offered to live audiences). I served as a panelist on five Yale University Library Safety panels in FY20 (in which I outlined the complaint process and support options for employees who had concerns about identity-based harm or harassment).

New Haven, Ct

In this role, I investigated complaints of alleged discrimination and harassment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act and managed the accommodations program for all employees (staff and faculty) with disabilities and for those who needed an accommodation to practice their religious beliefs. I also investigated other complex matters involving Yale community members, conducted climate assessments and facilitated informal mediations. I monitored personnel activities, including staff and faculty recruitment for compliance with university policy and discrimination law. I was also responsible for delivering sexual harassment recognition and prevention training sessions in a variety of settings to the Yale community.

Advised Executive Management team and Board of Trustees on corporate governance, regulatory compliance and ethical matters as well as legal and management issues spanning a broad spectrum of laws and regulations, including not-for-profit, employment, education, housing and heath care laws.

I researched and developed funding sources and create proposals and reports for private and government entities. During my last full year in this position, I was the primary writer for 20 proposals, raising a total of $846,700 in private funding for CASES programs. In 2012, I was the primary writer for a proposal to New York City Criminal Justice Coordinator, raising over $600,000 for the Nathaniel Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team (a program serving court-involved individuals with severe mental illness). I helped plan new programs that advanced CASES' mission to increase the use and understanding of community sanctions for high-need justice involved populations. I also produced strategic communications materials, including brochures, presentations and press releases aimed at potential funders, the media, the general public and the criminal justice community.

Areas of focus included employment law, commercial/residential lease negotiation, employment discrimination law, and general corporate compliance.

Represented media production company specializing in electronic multi-platform promotional campaigns for clients including the New York International Latino Film Festival, IMAN Cosmetics, and Cinedulce, a multi-platform distributor of urban entertainment in all general business matters. Established initial contractual, employment, and intellectual property practices. Structured, negotiated, and drafted contracts including joint venture agreements, non-disclosure agreements, sponsorship agreements, likeness and usage agreements, and employment agreements/deal memos.

Drafted pleadings and memoranda of law for Article 78 proceedings (challenging individual retirement awards in the New York City public pension system). Researched issues relating to a class action suit challenging the constitutionality of New York City's public pension system. Attended meetings of the Board of Trustees for New York City's five public pension funds.

Researched and drafted memoranda and legal papers for the firm's rental car and general liability practice areas.

Researched and drafted trial memoranda and motions for supervising attorney. Observed preliminary hearings and assisted in trial preparation.

Prepared recommendation for the creation of website for the Capital Defender Office. Assisted with the organization of a capital defense conference to inform the media about the nature of capital defense. Researched and collected information for a proportionality project that investigated the constitutionality of the application of the death penalty in New York State.

J.D.

Activities and Societies: Frontline Editor of the St. John's Journal of Legal CommentaryStudent-Practitioner for the St. John's Securities.

Bachelor Of Arts, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Executive Coordinator of Political Affairs for Student Government, Student Alumni representative (1999-2000).