Policy Counsel

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.

Policy Counsel works to identify, develop and implement legislative and other policy reform strategies at the federal, state, and local levels, with a concentration on LDF's efforts to ensure our nation’s criminal justice laws are administered fairly and without regard to race. Incumbents also identify, secure and prepare opportunities for LDF to influence legislation and policy at the federal level, including commenting on proposed legislation and rules, submitting statements and letters, preparing advocacy materials, and organizing and conducting meetings and convenings with elected officials and their staff, administrative officials and their staff and other stakeholders. Policy Counsel also works collaboratively with national, state and local allied partners. When necessary, the Policy Counsel travels within the U.S. to carry out LDF’s objectives. Must be licensed to practice law in the United States and licensed in the District of Columbia, New York or Georgia based on the assigned office location. The Policy Counsel works closely with the Senior Policy Associate and reports to the Director of Policy.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two designated days per week, unless otherwise indicated.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct policy and other forms of research.
• Monitor and respond to developing civil rights issues in proposed federal, state and local legislation or agency action relating to reform of the criminal legal system.
• Secure, draft and deliver legislative testimony at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Communicate both verbally and in well written form internally and to LDF stakeholders.
• Participate in and/or organize briefings with Members of Congress, state and local legislators, and federal or state agency officials on LDF's substantive priorities;
• Build and/or participate in national coalitions, partnerships and task forces working to advance criminal legal system reforms;
• Assume a leading and strategic role in national, state or local coalition campaigns criminal justice advocacy issues consistent with LDF's priorities, including lobbying, communications and grassroots outreach;
• Work collaboratively with LDF's attorneys, other LDF staff members, organizers and multidisciplinary teams to advance national, state and local reforms; and
• Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position.

Qualifications:

• JD degree, with five (5) to seven (7) years of policy experience with an emphasis on criminal justice and admission to the Bar of the District of Columbia, New York or Georgia Bar based on respective assigned office location.
• Advanced analysis and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF.

Writing samples should be a piece of legal writing that you authored yourself. While it may have been reviewed or edited by others, it should primarily reflect your own work and should be at least five (5) pages in length.

This position is open to candidates in multiple locations; however, there is a strong preference for candidates based in Atlanta, GA.

The salary range for this position is (5 to 7 years post law school graduate):

Washington, DC: $122,500- $134,000, New York: $128,000-$140,000, and Atlanta, Georgia: $111,000- $121,500

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or 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.