Salaam Bhatti, Esq.

Salaam Bhatti, Esq.

SNAP Director @FRAC | I don't make dollars, I make change

Henrico, Virginia, United States
2K followers 500+ connections

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About

I am an attorney with deep knowledge about public benefits, management, team building, and non-profit administration. I enjoy advocacy, engaging with media, and working with others to achieve the unreachable.

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Activity

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Experience

  • Food Research & Action Center Graphic

    Director

    Food Research & Action Center

    - Present 9 months

    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Direct FRAC'S SNAP unit as we:
    - work on multiple grant projects to research the intricacies of SNAP participation and policies,
    - work with the legislative team to educate Congressmembers and their staff on the importance of strengthening and protecting SNAP,
    - work with the communications team to correspond with the media and put forth quality reports, briefs, one-pagers, and fact sheets,
    - work with the network team to ensure we are meeting our network partners where they are…

    Direct FRAC'S SNAP unit as we:
    - work on multiple grant projects to research the intricacies of SNAP participation and policies,
    - work with the legislative team to educate Congressmembers and their staff on the importance of strengthening and protecting SNAP,
    - work with the communications team to correspond with the media and put forth quality reports, briefs, one-pagers, and fact sheets,
    - work with the network team to ensure we are meeting our network partners where they are and serving them to our utmost capacity.

  • Virginia Poverty Law Center

    Virginia Poverty Law Center

    6 years 5 months

    • Virginia Poverty Law Center Graphic

      Deputy Director

      Virginia Poverty Law Center

      - 1 year 11 months

      Richmond, Virginia, United States

    • Virginia Poverty Law Center Graphic

      Staff Attorney

      Virginia Poverty Law Center

      - 6 years 5 months

      Richmond, Virginia Area

      • Specialize in public benefits law, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), provide Virginia legal aid attorneys & staff with guidance on these areas; teach Continuing Legal Education courses on these subjects.
      • Innovated a SNAP eligibility calculator with a federal government agency (18F) to provide easier access to low-income households which is now used by many states.
      • Lobby at state assembly and in Congress…

      • Specialize in public benefits law, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), provide Virginia legal aid attorneys & staff with guidance on these areas; teach Continuing Legal Education courses on these subjects.
      • Innovated a SNAP eligibility calculator with a federal government agency (18F) to provide easier access to low-income households which is now used by many states.
      • Lobby at state assembly and in Congress to improve access to public benefit programs.
      • Successfully led efforts to: expand SNAP eligibility to over 25,000 households, increase TANF by record amounts, improve access to school meals & prevent lunch shaming, and repeal laws denying SNAP/TANF to those with drug felonies.
      • Lead a team to provide nutrition education, drive awareness of hunger solution programs and work with stakeholders to increase school meal participation.

  • Richmond Times-Dispatch Graphic

    Community Board Advisor

    Richmond Times-Dispatch

    - 2 years 1 month

    Richmond, Virginia Area

    I am part of a group that advises the editorial/oped team of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

  • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

    Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

    8 years 7 months

    • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Graphic

      Social Media Manager

      Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

      - 4 years 11 months

      Greater New York City Area

      - Developed multiple Twitter accounts from hundreds to ten thousand plus followers through organic and promoted growth.
      - Utilize Google's analytics to learn how to improve emails and social media content based on what has been clicked and when. I also use Google Analytics to see what parts of the website are receiving the most traffic.
      - Use Photoshop to create images that conform to the company's theme and look good.

    • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Graphic

      National Spokesperson

      Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

      - 8 years 7 months

      • Lead team of three in drafting press releases, media advisories, and talking points to create policy.
      • Form relationships with journalists, interview in local, national, and international outlets.
      • Travel to crisis sites in Connecticut (mosque shooting, 2015), Orlando (club shooting, 2016), and Philadelphia (Jewish cemetery desecration, 2017) to lead media outreach.

  • Attorney

    The Law Office of Salaam Bhatti, P.C.

    - 3 years 6 months

    Greater New York City Area

    • Specialize in estate planning, probate, traffic violations, public policy, family law, alternative dispute resolution, consulting, landlord/tenant, H1B immigration, and negotiations.
    • Pro Bono: human rights affairs encompassing Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and Ghana; volunteered at JFK Airport following Executive Order banning migrants and drafted media policy for airport attorneys which was replicated across airports.

  • Consultant

    Accelerated Rehab and Pain Management

    - 4 years 7 months

    New Jersey

    Lead in drafting employment and contractor contracts. Lead in expanding the practice to different states.

    Lead in rolling out new electronic records management program to replace old program. This entails training all office staff and medical staff in portions of the program relevant to their needs.

    Responsible in streamlining the policies and procedures and creating an office handbook to progress this company.

    Learning all levels of the practice so that I can best…

    Lead in drafting employment and contractor contracts. Lead in expanding the practice to different states.

    Lead in rolling out new electronic records management program to replace old program. This entails training all office staff and medical staff in portions of the program relevant to their needs.

    Responsible in streamlining the policies and procedures and creating an office handbook to progress this company.

    Learning all levels of the practice so that I can best utilize my skills as a lawyer to help the company.

  • OfficeTeam Graphic

    Temp Worker

    OfficeTeam

    - 3 months

    I work jobs in all sorts of places. So far, it helps me expand my network in ways I never imagined so that my reach is even bigger. This will come in handy when I am a lawyer.

  • Intern

    Touro Law Veterans and Servicemembers Clinic

    - 4 months

    Central Islip, NY

    Cases involved small claims, debt relief, family and criminal law; handled investigation of deceased Florida spouse to obtain veteran’s benefits for local estranged spouse. Author of “The Need for VA Growing,” published by Newsday on November 11, 2010.

  • Clerk for Judge Andrew Tarantino, Jr.

    Suffolk County Family Court

    - 2 months

    Drafted judicial decisions, researched legal questions, learned appropriate courtroom behavior.

  • Intern

    Center for Community Leadership

    - 3 years 8 months

    Helped local government leaders learn how to better themselves and their community by organizing programs designed to assist with grant writing, zoning, and other municipal needs.
    Communicated with police chiefs by surveying and reporting their departmental needs.
    Updated the Center’s website.
    Used Microsoft programs to update client database, create charts, and summarize surveys.

  • Coach

    Street Football

    - 8 months

    - Helped youth constructively utilize efforts through team and individual exercises.
    - Constructed and deconstructed arena.
    - Communicated with children and teenagers.
    - Ensured that children learned necessary social and physical skills to refrain from drugs and violence so that they could stay in school.

  • Intern

    Ahmad Law Offices

    - 3 months

    Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda and briefs.
    Attended court proceedings.
    Communicated with clients regarding their case status as well as further information the firm needed in researching their case.

Education

  • Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center Graphic

    Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

    J.D. Law

    -

    Activities and Societies: Elected Class Orator for Spring 2011 Commencement, Muslim Law Students Association, Co-Founder, President 2010-2011, Black Law Students Association Moot Court, 2009-2011, School Newspaper, Editor-in-Chief, 2010-2011,

  • University of Virginia Graphic

    University of Virginia

    Sorensen Political Leaders Program Political Leadership

    -

    The Sorensen Institute's flagship Political Leaders Program (PLP) is a leadership development program designed for residents of Virginia already engaged in the political, civic, business, nonprofit or governing life of their locality, region or the Commonwealth.

    Effective leadership – through building trust and working together – is a central theme of the program. We explore how leaders have gained positions of trust and shaped public policy in Virginia. We also look at how bipartisan…

    The Sorensen Institute's flagship Political Leaders Program (PLP) is a leadership development program designed for residents of Virginia already engaged in the political, civic, business, nonprofit or governing life of their locality, region or the Commonwealth.

    Effective leadership – through building trust and working together – is a central theme of the program. We explore how leaders have gained positions of trust and shaped public policy in Virginia. We also look at how bipartisan and regional cooperation can be used to craft approaches and solutions to problems, opportunities, and challenges faced by Virginia residents. We also review techniques for finding common ground in addressing potentially divisive topics.

  • Upright Citizens Brigade

    improvisational comedy

    -

    I have passed Improv levels 101, 201, and 301. These classes hone my ability to think on my feet and act quickly and confidently.

  • The PIT

    -

    -

    Learned to write sketch comedy. Drafted sketches each week for critique, review, and read-alouds.

  • University of Aberdeen Graphic

    University of Aberdeen

    BA International Relations

    -

    Activities and Societies: African Student Association, Co-founder Street Football, Volunteer

    Won a full year's scholarship from the St. Andrew's Society to study at the University of Aberdeen

  • Albright College Graphic

    Albright College

    BA Political Science

    -

    Activities and Societies: Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Muslim Student Association, Founder/President; President’s Council on Diversity and Community, Senior Member; Student Conference on United States Affairs, Delegate; WXAC Radio Station: Disc Jockey, Treasurer, and Director of Underwriting; Freshman Class President; Community Standards Judiciary Board; Criminal Justice Society; Political Science Society; Domino Players Theater Society: A Clockwork Orange, actor; Fences, wardrobe

    Honors: Dean’s List, three terms; Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society

    Awards: Gold “A” Award, 2008; Distinguished Joseph E Coleman Award, 2004-2008; National Honor Society Scholarship, 2004-2008; Community Service Leadership Scholarship, 2004-2008; Ahmadiyya Muslim Scholarship, Spring 2005

  • Central Dauphin High School

    -

    -

  • North Side Elementary

    -

    Drank chocolate milk, took naps, read books.

  • Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center Graphic

    Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

    Doctor of Law - JD

Licenses & Certifications

  • Virginia State Bar Graphic

    Virginia State Bar

    Virginia State Bar

    Issued

  • Admitted to Eastern District of New York

    Eastern District of New York

    Issued

  • Admitted to Southern District of New York

    Southern District of New York

    Issued
  • New York State Bar Graphic

    New York State Bar

    New York State Bar Association

    Issued

Volunteer Experience

  • Humanity First USA Graphic

    Volunteer

    Humanity First USA

    - Present 12 years 6 months

    Disaster and Humanitarian Relief

    - leading youth fundraiser in USA for the Walk for Humanity walkathon
    - volunteered in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
    - spoke at Humanity First fundraising dinner on the Sandy relief efforts.

  • Attorney

    Ahmadiyya Muslim Lawyers Association

    - Present 11 years 11 months

    Human Rights

    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Lawyers Association (AMLA) USA believes in achieving absolute justice. As an attorney at AMLA, I researched and drafted a memo regarding human rights violations in Kyrgyzstan. I drafted a legacy template for the non-profit Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which allows its members to leave legacy bequests to the group after they pass away.

  • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Graphic

    National Spokesperson & Social Media Manager

    Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

    - 8 years 7 months

    Education

    • Lead team of three in drafting press releases, media advisories, and talking points to create policy.
    • Form relationships with journalists, interview in local, national, and international outlets.
    • Travel to crisis sites in Connecticut (mosque shooting, 2015), Orlando (club shooting, 2016), and Philadelphia (Jewish cemetery desecration, 2017) to lead media outreach.
    • Social media manager – lead team of thirty people across three different organizational handles on ten channels…

    • Lead team of three in drafting press releases, media advisories, and talking points to create policy.
    • Form relationships with journalists, interview in local, national, and international outlets.
    • Travel to crisis sites in Connecticut (mosque shooting, 2015), Orlando (club shooting, 2016), and Philadelphia (Jewish cemetery desecration, 2017) to lead media outreach.
    • Social media manager – lead team of thirty people across three different organizational handles on ten channels with an audience of over 70,000 users to create memes & videos, engage with audience, and approve content consistent with branding.

Publications

Courses

  • Appellate Advocacy

    -

  • Business Law

    -

  • Immigration Law

    -

  • Improv

    101, 201, 301

  • International Human Rights

    -

  • International Law

    -

  • Intro to Sketch Comedy Writing

    101

  • Trial Practice

    -

Languages

  • Urdu

    -

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