Shivani Parikh Email & Phone Number

New York, United States

New York, United States

Queens, New York, United States

Queens Legal Services provides high-quality civil legal services, social work support and advocacy to low-income communities in Queens. Founded in 1967, our staff of over 65 today assists over 5,000 individuals each year and reaches thousands more through outreach and community legal education.Through the work of our Housing Units, Legal Services NYC is at the forefront of the fight to prevent evictions, preserve affordable housing, and ensure that our clients’ apartments are safe. Our work includes:• Providing legal assistance, including advice, advocacy and aggressive litigation services, to prevent evictions in court and in administrative proceedings• Helping to support tenant associations and tenant organizations and represent those organizations in litigation• Preserving housing subsidies through both individual representation and cutting-edge litigation• Obtaining needed repairs in buildings• Providing training and education on tenants’ rights, and• Helping to coordinate and provide training for housing advocates throughout the City.Member of the Asian American / Pacific Islander Affinity Group and the Women of Color (WOC) Affinity Group.

New York, New York, United States

Throughout New York, religious leaders from every faith tradition are working to create positive change for their own communities and the city as a whole. But all too often they are working alone — without a strong network of interfaith ties, or knowledge of the city’s civic institutions. With support from the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, ICNY’s Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy gives diverse religious leaders the tools they need to make a difference.

Queens, New York, United States

LSSA 2320 is a “wall-to-wall” union representing the secretaries, process servers, paralegals, receptionists, social workers, support staff, attorneys & other non-management employees of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and Mobilization for Justice (MFJ). Founded in 1973, LSSA is a unit of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320.

New York, United States

- Accepted to Vital Voices' Bold Movers program to learn about legal program development for mothers and caregivers who are domestic workers, salon employees, farm workers, gig economy (Uber/Lyft drivers and delivery workers) independent contractors, and garment workers - and are not protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)- 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor of an upcoming documentary about taxi drivers in New York City saddled with medallion debt- Member of the REACH Coalition, AAPI Data’s Community Data Explorer Coalition, and Building Movement Project’s South Asian Post-Election Working Group- Signatory to Cooley LLP’s amicus brief for TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd. v. Merrick B. Garland

New York, New York, United States

The mission of the Alumni Attorneys of Color (“AAC”) Affinity Group is to build an active and engaged community of Black, Hispanic/Latino, and South/East Asian Fordham Law alumni and enhance their connection with one another and the Law School community at large. The AAC also serves as a vehicle to further the professional development of its members by providing networking opportunities and a forum to exchange ideas and business opportunities. The AAC is committed to mentoring current law students and partnering with the Law School in its goal to foster an inclusive educational environment where diverse backgrounds and experiences are respected, welcomed, and celebrated.I am the inaugural South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) representative.

The non-profit organization The DO School Fellowships developed the concept for beVisioneers and is also responsible for the implementation. beVisioneers is aimed at creative, committed people between 16 and 28 years of age, who have promising ideas for projects in the areas of environmental protection and decarbonization. The participants are selected by The DO School and come from different countries and walks of life.In the pilot year 2023, the program was initially accessible to young people from India, South Africa and a number of European countries. More than a thousand applications were submitted between January and March, from which The DO School Fellowships selected the first 102 participants. The program provided the fellows with access to project financing and – if required – further financial or material support. However, at the heart of the program is a broad-based learning and coaching curriculum, which focuses on leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainability. The fellows are also provided with a personal mentor during the twelve-month hybrid learning phase. Mercedes-Benz has encouraged all interested employees to become involved as mentors in beVisioneers or similar initiatives.beVisioneers is to grow and in 2025 already support one thousand fellows from all over the world who have sustainable project ideas. Mercedes-Benz sponsors beVisioneers because the program promotes ecological sustainability and social cohesion through education – and in this way reflects key elements of the corporate citizenship strategy. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is the title sponsor in order to underscore its lasting commitment to the success of this program.

New York, United States

Since 2011, Sadhana has been building a progressive Hindu movement. We practice our sadhana, or faith in action, by advocating for those social justice principles we believe are at the heart of Hinduism.• Wrote successful grant application for $10,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support their COVID-19 vaccine information campaign• Represented Sadhana in the Interfaith Center of New York’s (ICNY) citywide committee, Democratic Socialists of America's Religious Socialism Working Group, Faith in Action NY, and the Phagwah Parade Social Justice Collective• Designed and supervised the 2022 summer fellow(s) and internship program• Serve as social media manager, press inquiry representative, and college student/research liaison• Represent Sadhana amongst interfaith coalitions related to amicus briefs and legislative & policy advocacy initiatives, including as a Planned Parenthood Sexual & Reproductive Health Faith Partner• Moderated Sadhana's panel and represented the organization on two panels at the 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions conference in Chicago

South Asians for America (SAFA) is a national, volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to the education, advocacy, and mobilization of the South Asian community to build South Asian political power nationwide. Through various committees and initiatives, SAFA strives to ensure that the voices of all the communities, identities, and faiths within the South Asian diaspora are represented at every level of government. These include:• Providing community organizing tools & training and voter education & mobilization resources to engage the community.• Establishing partnerships with key national organizing groups, South Asian, AAPI, and communities of color advocacy organizations to build political networks.• Providing organizing support, training & resources to candidates running for office.• Connecting with South Asian youth organizations to increase youth political engagement; and• Providing state-specific political advocacy resources and tools to promote greater participation of the community in political party structures and organizations at the state level.

New York, New York, United States

Students are trained in mediation skills and deal with a range of topics including use of the caucus, breaking impasse, implicit bias and ethical challenges. Small Claims Court cases from Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island are assigned by the New York Civil Court under the Court’s presumptive mediation program. Using a co-mediation model, students mediate a wide variety of conflicts under faculty supervision. Disputes range from issues related to inter-personal relationships to employment, contract, and medical malpractice.

New York, United States

Housed at Columbia Law School, the Paralegal Pathways Initiative (PPI) aims to amplify the talents of formerly incarcerated individuals by providing skills-based, legal training and connecting them with professional mentorship in preparation for careers in the legal field. Through a semester-long course, participants sharpen the legal skills they acquired while incarcerated and gain new skills that will prepare them to succeed in professional legal opportunities. PPI seeks to create economic opportunity for participants, advance racial equality in the legal field, build knowledge of the impacts of the criminal legal system among current and future legal professionals, and expose the legal profession to an untapped wealth of legal experience and talent.In the fall (2 credits), all students involved in PPI meet in a weekly seminar to collaborate on planning and directing the program. Through readings and guest speakers, students will gain a greater understanding of meaningful reentry following incarceration. Students are divided into the following committees based on interest and experience: Curriculum., Recruitment and Professional Support, Communications and Operations, and Community Engagement. Students work together to (i) develop the short and long-term goals of individual committees, and (ii) ensure that PPI as a whole is achieving its programmatic goals.In the spring (2 credits), students take the lead in planning and running weekly classroom sessions with the PPI faculty and a cohort of participants who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Students attend classes with participants as well as reflective meetings with the PPI leadership team.

Historically, South Asians have been severely underrepresented in the halls of government at every level, from local to federal offices. In the past 7 years since Indian American Impact’s founding in 2016, those numbers have skyrocketed thanks to an incredible set of trailblazers that continue to make history across the country. Although representation has increased, we still have a ways to go to make sure our voices are heard.The inaugural cohort of our Desis Lead mentorship program connects new and prospective candidates with the history makers in office who paved the way for others to run. This program builds connections and pathways to help new South Asian candidates overcome the obstacles of deciding to run for office by hearing and receiving help from those who have been there before.Accepted to the "Help Me Run" track for current and future candidates in the hopes of running for community board or school board.

New York, United States

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is a dynamic community of students committed to developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.CGI U is a unique opportunity to connect aspiring leaders with leading experts in business, technology, and social impact. Each year, thousands of undergraduate and graduate students from across the country and around the world apply to participate in CGI U’s year-round community of learning, leadership, and action — beginning with a global meeting where participants, topic experts, and high-profile innovators convene to support and learn from each other.Today, South Asians' civil rights litigation is housed within pan-Asian organizations with limited Desi leadership/staff attorney representation and, therefore, a reduced scope or emphasis for our distinctive racial justice issues & policy priorities. My proposal for establishing the South Asian Legal Defense Fund aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 10 (reduced inequalities) and 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).

New York, New York, United States

94 percent of taxi drivers are immigrants, out of which, about 40 percent are South Asian.• Interview drivers before their hearings• Review and explain the summonses• Advise on the financial and/or ancillary consequences of the hearing• Assist drivers in rescheduling their hearing date, if appropriate• Investigate drivers’ cases and assist them with requesting hearing evidence from the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)• Conduct legal research to determine if there are any defenses available• Advocate for drivers in settling a summons with TLC• Prepare and represent drivers at their adjourned hearings

NYCitizenship is a partnership between NYLAG and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Through NYCitizenship, NYLAG attorneys provide citizenship legal services to low-income disabled and elderly lawful permanent residents of New York referred to NYLAG by the NYC Human Resources Administration.• Assist with preparing immigration applications and check, organize, and file USCIS mail; • Make follow-up calls with clients as instructed by the team's attorneys or paralegals; • Obtain clients’ records, create case files, and close completed cases.

Brooklyn, New York, United States

• Work in collaboration with a coalition of neighborhood organizations and their tenant and community organizers to preserve and expand affordable housing for lower-income residents—in the face of rapid gentrification and tenant displacement throughout their neighborhoods• Assisting attorneys in representing low-income tenant associations confronting landlords harassing low-income residents and seeking to vacate buildings; individuals and families facing eviction; low-income tenant co-ops; community institutions facing closures or adverse actions due to extraordinary market pressures and neighborhood displacement; tenants in fair housing litigation; as well as community groups involved in struggles against pervasive housing discrimination, neighborhood segregation, and other issues critically affecting the future of their communities• Assisting attorneys with representing such groups and individuals suffering from harassment and displacement particularly due to prior or imminent local re-zonings• Work with attorneys to stop such pernicious practices in these communities by: bringing innovative, affirmative litigation to protect tenants’ rights and their homes; defending tenants in eviction proceedings; combating systemic housing discrimination through enforcement actions under fair housing laws; representing tenants in administrative proceedings; and providing advice and legal services to help improve conditions in their homes and buildings• Collaborate with organizers from local community-based organizations and coalitions in order to conduct Know-Your-Rights housing workshops, clinics, and other educational efforts to ensure that tenants are aware of their protections under housing laws

New York, New York, United States

Spring 2022: Immigration Intervention Project• Conducting/participating in client meetings• Provide sociocultural support for intake meetings with clients referred to SFF from Sakhi for South Asian Women• Drafting various immigration applications for USCIS, client affidavits, and witness affidavits• Researching case law and country conditions for U-visas, T-visas, and VAWA applicationsFall 2021: Uncontested Divorce Project• Providing pro se order of protection assistance to survivors of domestic violence• Drafting their family offense petitions for protective orders• Interviewing & preparing clients for their first appearance before the Family Court judge• Accompanying clients at their initial appearances and court dates before the judges• Advocating for clients' legal rights to protection before the court• Educating clients about the Family Court process• Providing clients with safety planning and referrals to needed resources

New York City Metropolitan Area

• Identified and conducted specific outreach efforts to the Asian communities that made these communities aware of the Center’s services and helped guide victims toward appropriate services at the agency.• Built trust through regular, in-person engagement by collaborating meaningfully with other local Asian-serving organizations.• Provided guidance to the Center’s advocacy, counseling, and legal staff about cultural considerations and best approaches when working with victims from Asian communities.• Discussed, reviewed, and approved the Center's policies and strategies and ensured they were entirely inclusive; assisted with hiring new staff to ensure openness to cultural learning.• Presented trainings on intimate partner abuse, Consent/Sexual Violence, and issues in Asian communities to local high school health classes, college first-year writing seminars, and college sports teams.• Developed original curricula on various social justice and anti-violence topics for the Student Activists Ending Date Abuse (SAEDA) teen social justice program. Facilitated weekly meetings of the SAEDA Student Advisory Council.• Grassroots community organizing by developing allies and links to resources within and for members of the Asian communities.• Collaborated with the Rockland Coalition to End the New Jim Crow, the Rockland People’s Panel on Policing, the Rockland Immigration Coalition, Rockland Citizens' Action Network, Rockland United, and the Filipinx Solidarity Collective.Achievements:• Accepted to the Asian American Feminist Collective’s network gathering (hosted by the Allied Media Conference)• Accepted to the Women of Color Network, Inc.'s Economic Policy & Leadership 2020 Mentorship Lab• Accepted to Spring Up's bluelight academy's inaugural Transformative Justice 2021 Summer Class through the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Ithaca, New York, United States

Doctor Of Law - Jd

Activities and Societies: Stein Scholar & Council 1L & 2L (elected) Rep; REAL Scholar and Mentor; Voting Rights & Democracy Forum's DEI.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Development Sociology, 3.73

Activities and Societies: Quill and Dagger Senior Honor Society; Mortar Board Der Hexenkreis Senior Honor Society Social Co-Chair; South.

Semester Abroad, International Honors Program: Cities In The 21St Century: People, Planning, And Politics

Activities and Societies: Faith Committee, Cultural Committee, Language CommitteeFall 2017 Cities: NYC; São Paulo, Brazil; Cape Town.

High School, General Studies