Assistant Counsel

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.

In 2022, LDF created the Strategic Initiatives Department (SID), which houses specific projects and initiatives that integrate LDF’s multi-faceted advocacy tools to maximize the impact of affirmative, strategic, and community-centered advocacy for Black people in America.

LDF seeks an Assistant Counsel (or Senior Counsel), to join LDF’s Strategic Initiatives Department (applicants with significantly more experience are encouraged to apply). The Assistant Counsel will bring litigation expertise to the Justice in Public Safety Project and the Pro Truth Initiative, and will support the Black Voters on the Rise project. The Assistant Counsel will also develop best practices in integrating litigation with community organizing and policy advocacy. Other matters may be assigned to the Assistant Counsel pursuant to departmental and/or organizational needs. 

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 racial justice issues, with a special emphasis on matters pertaining to public safety, policing, and the criminalization of Black people; and the censorship of programs and curricula benefiting Black students in K-12 and higher education; 
• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams of LDF attorneys, community organizers, policy advocates, communications specialists, and researchers to develop and sustain a multidisciplinary and community-informed approach to various advocacy efforts on racial justice issues in the Strategic Initiatives Department;
• 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 issues within the Strategic Initiatives Department;
• Investigating potential claims, preparing complaints, participating in motion practice, discovery, hearings, and oral arguments, trials, and appeals;
• 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 Black communities in America;
• 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:

• A Juris Doctor degree;
• Minimum of four (4) years of litigation experience and admission to the New York, Georgia, or District of Columbia Bar pursuant to office location (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);
• Experience working with organizers, policy advocates, and non-attorney staff in collaboration with community-based partners in a holistic and comprehensive advocacy strategy;
• Federal and/or state advocacy experience relating to issues affecting communities of color, especially Black communities;
• Public speaking experience before a wide range of audiences;
• 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; 
• Capacity to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences;
• Fluency in discussing racial justice issues in multiple settings and venues;
• A vision for attacking persistent barriers to full access and equality for people of color, and Black people in particular;
• Ability to think creatively and "outside the box" to advance comprehensive and holistic advocacy strategies; and
• Respect for impacted people and the expertise and insight they bring to racial justice advocacy.

 

The salary range(s) for this position is (4 to 9 years post-law school graduate, Senior Counsel salary would be based on LDF compensation structure) :

New York: $120,000 - $151,000

Washington: $115,000-$144,500

Atlanta: $104,000-$131,000

 

This is not 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.

LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package.  To learn more, click the following link: 2025 Benefits Overview.

 

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