Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight Elevates New Leaders in Civil Rights

NEW YORK, NY – January 07, 2026 – Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, a powerhouse national law firm renowned for its work in civil rights and social justice, has announced the promotion of four of its attorneys to senior positions. The move, effective January 1, 2026, elevates Sharon Kim and Alok Nadig to Partner, and Ting Cheung and Kasi Wautlet to Senior Litigation Counsel, signaling a strategic reinforcement of the firm’s leadership across several critical and evolving areas of law.

The promotions come as the firm, which recently became Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight in late 2024, continues to solidify its reputation as a leading advocate for individuals and communities facing discrimination, harassment, and systemic injustice. The firm has recovered over $5 billion for its clients and has been repeatedly honored with industry accolades such as Civil Rights Firm of the Year and Employment Rights Firm of the Year by The National Law Journal.

“Sharon, Alok, Ting, and Kasi exemplify the very best of this firm: extraordinary legal talent, deep commitment to our clients, and a relentless dedication to advancing civil rights and social justice,” said David Sanford, Chairman and Co-Founder of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight. “Each has already made an outsized impact through their advocacy and leadership, and these promotions reflect both what they have achieved and the trust and confidence we have in what they will continue to accomplish in the years ahead.”

A New Generation of Partners

The elevation of Sharon Kim and Alok Nadig to the partnership marks a significant strengthening of the firm’s core leadership. Both attorneys, formerly Senior Litigation Counsel in New York, have distinguished themselves through their work on high-impact and landmark cases.

Sharon Kim, a Harvard Law School graduate, has played a pivotal role in some of the firm's most visible public interest battles. Most notably, she was a key architect in the representation of the family of Hae Min Lee in the high-profile victims' rights case connected to the Serial podcast. Her work was instrumental in securing a 4–3 victory before the Maryland Supreme Court, which reinstated Adnan Syed’s conviction and, more broadly, fortified the rights of crime victims to be notified, participate, and have meaningful access to judicial proceedings. Her practice also spans complex financial services litigation and employment discrimination matters, bringing a versatile and formidable skill set to the partnership.

Alok Nadig brings a decorated background and a deep focus on discrimination and public interest litigation to his new role as Partner. A cum laude graduate of New York University School of Law and a former clerk for two federal judges, Nadig has dedicated his practice to representing individuals and classes in challenging cases. His work includes advocating for women facing gender discrimination in male-dominated industries like oil rigs, litigating large-scale wage and labor violations for healthcare workers, and representing LGBTQ individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries to seek asylum in the U.S. His leadership in this space has not gone unnoticed; he was named one of the "Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40" by the National LGBTQ+ Bar in 2025 and has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

Bolstering Specialized Advocacy

The promotions of Ting Cheung and Kasi Wautlet to Senior Litigation Counsel highlight the firm’s commitment to fostering specialized expertise capable of tackling nuanced and emerging legal challenges. Based in Washington, D.C., and Nashville, respectively, Cheung and Wautlet have already made significant contributions in their fields.

Ting Cheung, now Senior Litigation Counsel in D.C., offers a unique and vital perspective with her fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese and her dual training in both Hong Kong and U.S. law. This background has made her an indispensable advocate for Asian American employees and whistleblowers, navigating the cultural subtleties often present in high-stakes discrimination and retaliation cases. Her work includes representing tech employees facing race and national origin discrimination and healthcare executives alleging retaliation. Beyond her case work, Cheung serves as an expert for the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law project and is a vocal advocate for neurodiversity in the legal profession.

In Nashville, new Senior Litigation Counsel Kasi Wautlet has focused her practice on complex civil litigation with a profound public interest impact. A former public school teacher and cum laude graduate of NYU School of Law, Wautlet has been a driving force in a major proposed class action on behalf of youth with disabilities within the Tennessee juvenile justice system. She has also been deeply involved in the firm's litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors on behalf of local governments, seeking to hold corporations accountable for their role in the public health crisis. Her successful negotiation of settlements in pay equity and wrongful termination cases further demonstrates her effectiveness, earning her recognition as a "Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer" by the National Trial Lawyers.

Reflecting Broader Trends in Legal Leadership

These promotions at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight are not just internal milestones; they reflect a conscious alignment with the growing demand for diversity and specialized expertise within the legal profession. While industry-wide data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) shows that progress in elevating women and lawyers of color to partnership ranks remains sluggish, these appointments stand out. Women of color, for instance, still represent a tiny fraction of partners at major U.S. firms.

By promoting a slate of lawyers with diverse backgrounds and highly specialized practices - from Asian American advocacy and LGBTQ+ rights to disability class actions and victims' rights - the firm is positioning itself at the forefront of modern civil rights litigation. This strategy acknowledges that the fight for social justice requires a deep understanding of the specific, intersecting challenges faced by different communities. As corporate clients and younger legal talent alike place a higher premium on demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), such moves are becoming a critical indicator of a firm's health and forward-thinking vision.

The new leaders are poised to not only continue their impactful advocacy but also to shape the future direction of a firm that has consistently set the bar for civil rights and plaintiff-side litigation in the United States.