Vichal Kumar
President,
South Asian Bar Association
Managing Attorney, Civil Defense Practice
Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
Vichal Kumar joined the NDS family as the Managing Attorney for the Civil Defense Practice in March 2015. As Managing Attorney, Vichal supervises the practice consisting of 13 other attorneys and advocates, representing clients in essential civil matters including: immigration; civil asset forfeiture; eviction prevention; employment defense; public benefits; and health care access. The uniqueness of the practice where attorneys, advocates, social workers and administrators collaborate on client representation ensures maximum client benefits.
While attending the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University part-time, Vichal worked full-time as a Civil Legal Advocate at The Bronx Defenders representing clients in administrative forums on housing, benefits and employment matters. Upon graduation, Vichal worked as a consulting attorney with the Federal Public Defender Office in Boston, MA. Subsequently, he worked as a commercial litigation associate at Cullen & Dykman, LLP. Vichal returned to public defense and became a Staff Attorney and subsequently a Supervising Attorney at The Bronx Defenders.
Vichal is a frequent guest speaker and panelist on issues ranging from civil defense to diversity in the legal profession. He recently delivered a keynote at the Seton Hall University Law School’s Annual Diversity Banquet. Vichal is also a consistent panelist at legal conferences, including at the recent DRI Event for Diversity and Success in Chicago, Illinois. He also teaches CLE classes regarding civil collateral consequences of touches with the criminal justice and family court system to other legal providers.
Vichal is also deeply committed to supporting legal professionals as well as advocating for the greater South Asian community. Vichal is the President of the South Asian Bar Association of North America (“SABA”). He previously served on the Executive Committee of SABA as the Vice President of Community Outreach. In 2008, Vichal received the South Asian Bar Association of New York (“SABANY”) Public Interest Fellowship and the Asian American Legal Defense Fund Fellowship. Vichal remains involved with SABANY and was President in 2015 and now serves on the Board of Directors.