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 General Counsel to provide research, analysis, and legal advice with respect to matters including, but not limited to, business transactions, contracts, tort law, labor and employment issues, corporate governance, charitable donations, tax matters, real estate matters, and federal and state regulations applicable to non-profit organizations. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel. Under their supervision, the Assistant General Counsel will also manage negotiations and relationships with external parties and LDF’s outside counsel in many of these areas.

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:

• Negotiate, draft and closely review general business, vendor, consultant, and real estate contracts and agreements, including by exercising substantial autonomy with respect to appropriate contracts and releases for LDF’s Development, Communications, and Operations Departments.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to assist the General Counsel’s Office in providing counsel with respect to legal and regulatory matters affecting LDF, including but not limited to, business transactions, contracts, labor and employment matters, Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) regulations, anti-money laundering laws, tax issues, charitable giving, federal and state laws and regulations, non-profit corporate governance, real property and tort law;
• Work with the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel to provide guidance for responding to claims, lawsuits, and subpoenas and representing, or protecting the legal interests of, LDF in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Assist the Director of Human Resources as appropriate in drafting LDF policies and procedures involving legal issues and remain current on relevant federal state and local laws and regulations.
• Consult on employment matters as appropriate.
• Conduct research and analysis with respect to issues concerning the practice of law.
• Prepare memoranda, correspondence and legal documents.
• Represent LDF before federal and state administrative agencies as appropriate.
• Assist the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel in managing relationships with outside legal counsel and provide advice regarding business disputes, employment issues and litigation.
• Follow up/respond to issues regarding estates/bequests.
• Consult with the Compliance Department as appropriate in reviewing insurance policies and negotiating with insurers on risk management, claims, and renewals.
• Assist with documentation process for compliance under federal and state laws governing non-profit organizations, including lobbying reports and Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) and anti-money laundering screening processes.

Qualifications:

• A J.D. Degree with at least four (4) to seven (7) years of experience practicing law at a non-profit organization, law firm, or as in-house counsel.
• Substantial legal expertise with respect to reviewing and negotiating contracts, with a strong preference for candidates who also have substantial expertise in one or more of the following areas: real estate, labor and employment, non-profit governance, regulatory compliance, charitable giving, tax, and tort law.
• Significant experience managing relationships with other attorneys.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Admitted to the bar in the jurisdiction (New York, DC, or Georgia) where the candidate is applying.

The salary range for this position is (4 to 7 years post-law school graduate):

Washington, DC: $115,000- $134,000, New York: $120,000-$140,000, and Atlanta, Georgia: $104,000- $121,500

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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