Assistant Counsel
Company: NAACP Legal Defense Education Fund
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 21, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description 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. The NAACP
Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) seeks an Assistant
Counsel to join its legal team, reporting to a senior litigator,
and contributing to high-impact civil rights litigation, strategic
advocacy, and collaborative efforts that advance racial justice
across multiple domains. 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 after 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, 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: A Juris Doctor degree; Minimum of four
(4) to nine (9) 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. The salary range(s) for this position
is(4 to 9 years post-law school graduate) : 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. * * * * * 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.
Keywords: NAACP Legal Defense Education Fund, Charlottesville , Assistant Counsel, Legal , Washington, Virginia
