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NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. · 5 days ago

Assistant Counsel

New York, NY

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$120K/yr - $151K/yr

4+ years exp

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is a leading civil and human rights law organization dedicated to achieving racial justice and equality. They are seeking an Assistant Counsel to contribute to high-impact civil rights litigation and strategic advocacy efforts that advance racial justice across multiple domains.

EducationLegalNational Security

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, 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

Qualification

Juris Doctor degreeLitigation experienceLegal research skillsOral advocacy skillsPublic speaking experienceCase management experienceFederal advocacy experienceState advocacy experienceCommitment to racial justiceSupervisory experienceAnalytical skillsCollaborative workIndependent work

Required

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

Capacity to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences