Assistant General Counsel

NAACP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NAACP Empowerment Programs, Inc. invites an Assistant General Counsel to join its Legal Department and support litigation and advocacy across voting rights, criminal justice, economic and educational equity.

The role involves strategy, briefing, and collaboration within the NAACP network. The attorney will handle complex civil rights matters, advise on risk, and work with internal and external partners to advance the NAACP’s mission across Baltimore and Washington, DC, with moderate travel and a

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing in a state bar with ability to become admitted in Maryland or D.C.
• 2–7 years of experience litigating civil rights cases or related government litigation.
• Strong legal research and drafting skills with timely, professional work.

Responsibilities

• Lead affirmative civil rights litigation in federal and state courts.
• Co-counsel with civil rights orgs and law firms.
• Develop civil rights advocacy campaigns and strategic litigation initiatives.
• Draft complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, and other pleadings.

Skills

Litigation

Legal Research

Policy Advocacy

Client Relations

Education

J.D.

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

MS Office

Job description

Assistant General Counsel

General Counsel – Baltimore, MD (or Washington, DC)

Travel: Moderate | Classification: Exempt

Position Summary

The NAACP Empowerment Programs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equal rights, seeks an Assistant General Counsel to join its growing Legal Department. The NAACP is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization, established to combat racial violence, injustice, and discrimination against Black Americans. This role focuses on litigation and legal advocacy in voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, employment, fair housing, and equal educational opportunity.

Responsibilities

Litigation

• Develop affirmative civil rights litigation in federal and state courts on behalf of NAACP branches and state conferences, advising clients on strategy, risks, objectives, and handling all aspects of litigation from investigation through appeal.
• Co‑counsel with other civil rights organizations, law firms or other entities, ensuring strategies are aligned and consistent with the NAACP’s mission.
• Assist with the development and execution of special initiatives and civil rights advocacy campaigns, leveraging the organization’s public‑education, communications, and grassroots mobilization infrastructure.
• Research and draft written work products, including complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, letters, and other materials.

Legal Advocacy

• Collaborate with partners across non‑profits, unions, and individuals to develop, litigate, and raise awareness of the NAACP’s civil rights mission.
• Monitor policy issues to identify opportunities for litigation or other legal advocacy.
• Support and partner with NAACP Units to assist with training and advocacy efforts.
• Prepare policy reports, white papers, public‑education materials, and briefing documents.

Nonprofit Governance and Corporate Matters

• Support governance for the NAACP and its affiliated entities.
• Draft and review board and committee resolutions; advise on bylaws and constitutional provisions.
• Provide legal support for internal initiatives involving organizational structure and change management.

Perform any other duties as assigned by the General Counsel or designee.

Qualifications

Required

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing in a state bar with the ability to become admitted in Maryland or D.C.
• 2‑7 years of experience litigating civil rights cases, or on behalf of or against federal or state governments, in federal or state courts.
• Track record of excellence in legal research and drafting, including court filings such as complaints, dispositive motions, and appeals, completed timely, professionally, and independently.
• Ability to become proficient in new civil rights issue areas and develop creative, rigorous, analytical legal strategies.
• Interdisciplinary approach, partnering with other professionals across the NAACP network.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues, and partner organizations.
• Ability to handle a diverse docket and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and civil rights.

Preferred

• Experience developing affirmative litigation, including researching theories, investigating allegations, and building factual records.
• Demonstrated interest in voting rights or election law.
• Willingness to engage in public speaking and communications to educate the public about the NAACP’s civil‑rights work.