Sur Legal Collaborative
Sur Legal Collaborative is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services, Know Your Rights trainings, advocacy, and capacity-building for immigrant workers in Georgia and the Deep South at the intersection of labor and immigration rights.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sur Legal Collaborative does
Sur Legal Collaborative (also operating as Colectivo Sur Legal) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal organization founded in October 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia, by attorneys Shelly Anand and Lynn Damiano Pearson. It provides free legal services, Know Your Rights trainings, advocacy, and capacity-building support at the intersection of labor rights, immigrant rights, and mass decarceration. The organization was one of the first in the nation to utilize Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE) and is credited with securing the release of three women from the Irwin County Detention Center, causing the facility to lose its ICE contract in 2021.
The organization's core offerings span four program areas: Legal Services (direct representation, U/T Visa certification requests, labor complaints filed with OSHA/WHD/NLRB/EEOC, and immigration relief); Organizing & Community Education (Know Your Rights trainings, the Worker Advisory Committee, and content in English, Spanish, Dari, Pashto, and API languages); Advocacy & Campaigns (amicus briefs, federal agency engagement, and media work); and Capacity-Building & Technical Assistance (train-the-trainer sessions, legal technical assistance, and resource sharing for community-based organizations). Underlying technology assets include a codified popular-education methodology (pattern recognition starting with worker experience, adding information, and building collective action), a multilingual content library (Manuals, Labor Guides, Sample Warrants), and an Artivism program monetizing donated artwork.
The business model is a free-service nonprofit funded by individual donations (via GiveButter), foundation grants, and federal capacity-building grants such as the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The customer base consists of two primary segments: a long tail of individual immigrant workers in high-hazard, low-wage industries across Georgia and the Deep South, and a secondary segment of community-based partner organizations (worker centers, immigrant rights groups, and coalitions such as GAIN, CDM, EJC, DIA, MESE, and national partners including National COSH, NELP, NILC, and UFW Foundation). Headcount grew from 2 staff at founding to 10 staff by 2025.
Sur Legal Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sur Legal Collaborative
- Legal name
- Sur Legal Collaborative
- Website
- https://surlegal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Sur Legal Collaborative is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services, Know Your Rights trainings, advocacy, and capacity-building for immigrant workers in Georgia and the Deep South at the intersection of labor and immigration rights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sur Legal Collaborative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Legal Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Lawyers (54111), Individual and Family Services (6241), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE), Immigration Law Literacy & Rights Education (EDAAADAB), Immigration Legal Services & Representation (Law Firms) (THACAKAF)
Keywords
Where Sur Legal Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sur Legal Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual donations accepted through GiveButter platform. Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 85-3545961.
- Grants and Foundation Funding: Grants from organizations such as National Association of Asian American Professionals ($5,000 Chopsticks for Charity award in 2023), federal grants including Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, and other foundation support.
- Artivism Sales: Proceeds from donated artwork sales where artists donate their work to support the organization, including prints and books like 'Microbiology In Verse'.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free legal services and community education |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sur Legal Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sur Legal Collaborative provides free legal representation, Know Your Rights trainings, advocacy, and capacity-building support to immigrant workers and partner organizations at the intersection of labor rights, immigration rights, and mass decarceration. Core services include U and T Visa certification requests, deferred action applications, labor complaint filing support (OSHA, WHD, NLRB, EEOC), multilingual community education, and train-the-trainer support for community-based organizations.
Product overview
Sur Legal Collaborative is a legal nonprofit organization providing a suite of integrated services at the intersection of labor rights, immigrant rights, and mass decarceration. The core offerings include Legal Services (direct representation and U/T Visa certifications), Organizing & Community Education (Know-Your-Rights trainings and Worker Advisory Committee), Advocacy & Campaigns, and Capacity-Building & Technical Assistance. Supporting resources include bilingual Labor Guides, Manuals & Presentations, Sample Warrants educational materials, and the Artivism program selling donated artwork. The organization also links to external resources including the ICE Detention Facilities Locator, ICE Activity Tracker, and Appleseed's Deportation Preparation Manual.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Secured deferred action and work permits for over 20 survivors of workplace incidents
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sur Legal Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sur Legal Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sur Legal Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH)corePartnership on heat justice advocacy and education. Created 'How-to' guide for workers on submitting heat stress complaints including template complaints.
- National Employment Law Project (NELP)corePartnership on heat stress complaint trainings and advocacy. Co-created guide on OSHA proposed heat standard rulemaking process.
- UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (UCLA LOSH)secondaryPartnership for OSHA complaint trainings for occupational heat exposure hazards.
- Farmworker JusticecoreCo-filed amicus brief in support of DOL's H-2A regulation providing protections for farm workers.
- FarmSTANDcoreLegal representation for group of organizations filing amicus brief in support of DOL's H-2A regulation. Also represented worker organizations in OSHA walk-around rule amicus brief.
- United Farm Workers / UFW FoundationcoreCo-filed amicus brief in support of DOL's H-2A regulation providing protections for farm workers.
- WorksafesecondaryCo-filed amicus brief in support of OSHA's walk-around rule for third-party inspection representatives.
- National Black Worker CentersecondaryCo-filed amicus brief in support of OSHA's walk-around rule for third-party inspection representatives.
- Migrant Equity Southeast (MESE)coreImmigrant rights organization in Savannah, Georgia. Partnered for OSHA training for poultry workers and organizers. MESE organizer noted training was 'imperative for the work that we do at MESE.'
- Georgia Coalition for the Peoples' AgendasecondaryCommunity organization partner for OSHA training series for poultry workers and organizers.
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of AthensminorShared meeting space for OSHA training for poultry workers.
- WorkshopcoreOrganization convening former appointees to support effective executive action. Co-Founder Shelly Anand awarded fellowship. Partnership on Department of Labor Strategic Partnership (DSEP) supporting worker centers across the country.
- WeCount!corePartnered with WeCount! for 'How to OSHA' training providing advocates from worker centers across the country with tools and tips on utilizing OSHA complaint process.
- Economic Justice Coalition (EJC)coreWorker center and immigrant rights organization in Athens, Georgia. Delivered training on recognizing and responding to labor violations and filing complaints with proper agencies.
- Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens (DIA)coreImmigrant rights organization in Athens, Georgia. Delivered workshop addressing immigrant community's lack of awareness about worker rights.
- Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN)coreCo-hosted Georgia's first labor-based deferred action clinic with GAIN and Centro de los Derechos del Migrante. GAIN provided survivors with information regarding civil legal services including housing legal assistance.
- Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM)coreCo-hosted Georgia's first labor-based deferred action clinic. CDM provides support for workers' access to deferred action and stands with workers in their fight for justice.
- Emory University School of MedicinesecondaryPartnership with Dr. Amy Zeidan's public health class on immigration as social determinant of health. Executive Director Shelly Anand spoke to class about occupational safety realities for immigrant workers.
- Emory Art and Social Justice FellowshipminorScreenprinting for Public Health project resulting in artwork design for Sur Legal Collaborative showcased along Atlanta BeltLine.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta (AAAJ-Atlanta)corePartnership on raising concerns about labor violations and safety failures at Hyundai megasite. Co-coordinating rapid response to ICE raids.
- Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM)coreCoordinating rapid response for workers affected by Hyundai ICE raids in partnership with CDM.
- Demo Lab SouthsecondaryPartner in network coordinating rapid response and aid for workers impacted by Hyundai ICE raids.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta (AAAJ-Atlanta)corePartnership on API immigrant community outreach and advocacy.
- Eritrean American Community Association of GeorgiasecondaryPartner in Know Your Rights training on labor rights for local Eritrean community members.
- Refugee Women's NetworksecondaryPartner in Know Your Rights training for Afghan refugee women with interpretation in Dari and Pashto.
- Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)secondaryPartner in Know Your Rights training for Afghan refugee women.
- Florida Hispanic Bar AssociationsecondaryPartner in online training on Deferred Action for Immigrant Workers Involved in Labor Violations.
- Practicing Law InstitutesecondaryCo-presented on labor-based deferred action with Arise Chicago and NILC for over 170 attendees.
- Arise ChicagosecondaryCo-presented on labor-based deferred action with NILC for Practicing Law Institute.
- SoCalCOSHsecondaryPartner in OSHA complaint training presentation at COSHCON 2023.
- Asylum Seeker Advocacy ProjectsecondaryPro bono partner providing legal support to survivors of Foundation Food Group nitrogen leak.
- UGA School of Law Community HeLP ClinicsecondaryPartner in collective effort securing deferred action and work permits for survivors.
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC)corePartner in collective effort. Co-founder Lynn Damiano Pearson now Senior Attorney at NILC advancing worker rights and enforcement work including Deferred Action for Workers Campaign.
- Susan Harwood Capacity Building Pilot Grant ProgramcoreFederal grant program funding Worker Advisory Committee (WAC) formation and OSHA training curriculum development.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sur Legal Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM): CDM is a transnational migrant worker organization that supports temporary workers in labor enforcement and access to deferred action. It co-hosted Georgia's first labor-based deferred action clinic with Sur Legal and partners on rapid response to ICE raids, making it the closest direct peer in mission, methodology, and target population.
- Farmworker Justice: Farmworker Justice is a national advocacy organization focused on farmworker rights, including H-2A protections and OSHA enforcement. Sur Legal partnered with Farmworker Justice on amicus briefs supporting DOL H-2A regulation and the OSHA walk-around rule, making it a direct peer in labor-and-immigration advocacy.
- Arise Chicago: Arise Chicago is a worker center organizing low-wage and immigrant workers in the Chicago area with legal, organizing, and policy programs. Sur Legal co-presented with Arise Chicago and NILC at the Practicing Law Institute on labor-based deferred action, making it a direct peer in worker center methodology and immigrant worker legal services.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta (AAAJ-Atlanta): AAAJ-Atlanta is a regional affiliate of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice network focused on API immigrant rights, civic engagement, and legal services. Sur Legal partners with AAAJ-Atlanta on API immigrant community outreach and rapid response to ICE raids, sharing overlapping mission and target population in the Southeast.
- National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH): National COSH is a federation of worker centers and coalitions advancing occupational safety and health, particularly for vulnerable workers. Sur Legal partnered with National COSH on heat stress trainings reaching 400+ people and presented together at COSHCON 2023, sharing overlapping methodology (popular education, worker-led training) and population.
Emerging players
- Tahirih Justice Center: Tahirih Justice Center is a national nonprofit providing legal services and policy advocacy for immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence. Sur Legal's founder and Legal Director are Tahirih alumni, and the organizations share client populations (immigrant survivors) and methodology (pro bono direct services plus advocacy).
- Innovation Law Lab: Innovation Law Lab is a nonprofit that leverages law and technology to advance immigrant and refugee rights, with focus on legal services innovation. Sur Legal board member Aliya Naim leads its Limited Legal Services Program, and the organizations share overlap on legal service delivery models for immigrant populations.
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): KIND provides legal representation and advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant children, with a major Atlanta office led by Sur Legal board member Christina Iturralde Thomas. KIND overlaps with Sur Legal on Southeast-based immigrant legal services and shares movement partnerships, though focused specifically on minors.
Broad incumbents
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC): NILC is a leading national advocacy organization advancing immigrant rights through litigation, policy, and communications. Sur Legal co-founder Lynn Damiano Pearson is now a Senior Attorney at NILC advancing the Deferred Action for Workers Campaign, making NILC a broad incumbent that absorbs Sur Legal's playbook at national scale.
- Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): SPLC is a major civil rights organization with strong Southeast operations, including immigrant rights and worker justice programs. Sur Legal's board includes former SPLC staff attorneys, and the organizations share overlap on immigrant rights advocacy and amicus work, though SPLC operates across a much broader civil rights portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sur Legal Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceSur Legal Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sur Legal Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Sur Legal Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Sur Legal Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Sur Legal Collaborative
What does Sur Legal Collaborative do?
Sur Legal Collaborative provides free legal representation, Know Your Rights trainings, advocacy, and capacity-building support to immigrant workers and partner organizations at the intersection of labor rights, immigration rights, and mass decarceration. Core services include U and T Visa certification requests, deferred action applications, labor complaint filing support (OSHA, WHD, NLRB, EEOC), multilingual community education, and train-the-trainer support for community-based organizations.
Is Sur Legal Collaborative a public or private company?
Sur Legal Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sur Legal Collaborative founded?
Sur Legal Collaborative was founded in 2020.
Where is Sur Legal Collaborative based?
Sur Legal Collaborative is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sur Legal Collaborative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are grants and Foundation Funding and artivism Sales.
Who are Sur Legal Collaborative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM), Farmworker Justice, Arise Chicago, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta (AAAJ-Atlanta) and National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH). Emerging players are Tahirih Justice Center, Innovation Law Lab and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Broad incumbents are National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
Does Sur Legal Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sur Legal Collaborative.
What industry is Sur Legal Collaborative in?
Sur Legal Collaborative's product category is Nonprofit Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAM, Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services, with a secondary code of BPADAHAE, Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services. Its NAICS code is 54111 and its SIC code is 8111.