Assistant General Counsel

Assistant General Counsel

The NAACP Empowerment Programs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for equal rights, seeks an Assistant General Counsel, to join the organization's growing Legal Department. The NAACP Is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization. It was established to combat racial violence, injustice, and discrimination against Black Americans, playing a key role in major legal battles and advocacy for social equality. The Assistant General Counsel focuses on litigation and legal advocacy in a variety of areas including voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, employment, fair housing, and equal educational opportunity.

Responsibilities/Duties

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will perform the following duties, to include, but not limited to:

• Litigation
• Develop affirmative civil rights litigation in federal and state courts on behalf of NAACP branches and state conferences, including advising clients on litigation strategy, risks and objectives, and handling all aspects of litigation from investigation through appeal.
• Co-counsel with other civil rights organizations, law firms or other entities and ensure that litigation strategies are aligned and consistent with the NAACP's mission.
• Assist with the development of and help carry out special initiatives and civil rights advocacy campaigns, leveraging the organization's unique public education, communication, and grassroots mobilization infrastructure.
• Research and draft written work products, including complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, letters, and other materials.
• Legal Advocacy
• Work with partners from a wide range of sectors including non-profits, unions, and individuals, to develop, litigate, and raise awareness of NAACP's civil rights mission.
• Monitor relevant policy issues to identify instances where the NAACP should consider developing litigation or other legal advocacy efforts.
• Support and partner with NAACP Units to assist with training and legal advocacy efforts.
• Prepare policy reports, white papers, public education materials, and other briefing materials.
• Nonprofit Governance and Corporate Matters
• Support governance for the NAACP and its affiliated entities.
• Draft and review board and committee resolutions; advise on NAACP bylaws provisions and constitutional provisions.
• Provide legal support for internal initiatives involving organizational structure and organizational change management.

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

Qualifications

Education/Experience

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. (based on office location).

• 2-7 years of relevant 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 performing legal research and drafting legal documents (including court filings such as complaints, dispositive motions, and appeals) in a timely, professional, and self-directed manner.

• Ability to become proficient in new civil rights issue areas and develop creative, rigorous, analytical legal strategies.

• Ability to approach the Legal Department's work in an interdisciplinary manner and partner 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 of matters and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and civil rights.

Preferred:

• Experience developing affirmative litigation, including researching potential theories, investigating allegations, and building factual records.

• Demonstrated interest in voting rights or election law.

• Ability to take on public speaking and other communications responsibilities that help to educate the public about the NAACP's civil rights work.