The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country's first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation's aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF's mission has been transformative - to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.
LDF's litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.
LDF seeks an experienced Assistant Counsel, who will report to a senior litigator, to join the legal team.
LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.
Responsibilities: - Litigating the full range of racial justice issues, including educational opportunity, diversity, adequacy, access, and retention; employment and housing discrimination; voting rights; and criminal justice;
- Developing, leading, supervising, consulting, and advising on complex, civil rights impact cases in federal and state courts and before administrative bodies;
- Drafting petitions for certiorari, merits briefs and amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court, other federal courts, and state courts that bear significantly on the civil rights of African Americans;
- Investigating potential claims, preparing complaints, participating in motion practice, discovery, hearings and oral arguments, trials and appeals;
- Collaborating with LDF's policy team to develop and implement strategies to advance LDF's policy agenda related to the substantive subject matter areas;
- Helping, supervising, and managing litigation teams that include LDF staff attorneys, organizers, cooperating counsel, fellows, legal interns, and others from within and outside of LDF;
- Serving as a public thought leader on issues confronting the African American community;
- Representing LDF in the media, at conferences and in other public venues;
- Developing and maintaining relationships with community partners, coalition members, and legal allies;
- Assisting in creating and implementing multi-pronged strategic plans using litigation, organization, public education, legislation and policy advocacy;
- Preparing policy reports, memoranda, briefing papers, public education materials, and talking points for internal and external use;
- Assisting LDF colleagues in developing skills in impact litigation and the other interdisciplinary advocacy strategies necessary to effect change;
- Fostering relationships with other advocates, lawyers and civil rights organizations;
- Travel as necessary, when conditions permit; and
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications: - Juris Doctor degree.
- Minimum of 4 years of litigation experience and admission to the New York, Georgia, or District of Columbia Bar (or eligibility to waive in).
- Demonstrated commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF and civil rights;
- Outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
- Broad, relevant litigation experience at the trial and appellate level (exposure to class action litigation is a plus);
- Federal and/or state advocacy experience relating to issues affecting communities of color;
- Effective public speaking experience;
- Able to work both collaboratively and independently;
- Supervisory and case management experience with an interest in and commitment to the professional development, training and support of attorneys, legal interns and administrative staff; and
- Capacity to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences.
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
Applications must be received no later than September 19, 2025, and will be considered on a rolling basis. The salary range(s) for this position is: New York: $120,000 - $151,000 Washington: $115,000-$144,500 Atlanta: $104,000-$131,000 LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more click the following link 2025 Benefits Overview.
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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
