Minimum of 10 years of litigation experience; admission to New York, Washington, D.C., or Georgia Bar preferred.
Strong commitment to LDF's racial justice mission.
Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Broad litigation experience at trial and appellate levels; class action experience preferred.
Experience in federal and/or state advocacy for communities of color.
Effective public speaking skills.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
Supervisory experience with a focus on professional development of staff.
Vision for addressing barriers to equality for Black communities.
Responsibilities
Litigate a wide range of racial justice issues, including education, employment, and voting rights.
Lead and supervise complex civil rights impact cases in various courts.
Draft legal documents for the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts affecting civil rights.
Investigate claims and participate in all stages of litigation, including trials and appeals.
Support policy initiatives to advance LDF's agenda in civil rights.
Manage and mentor litigation teams, including attorneys and interns.
Serve as a public thought leader and represent LDF in media and conferences.
Build relationships with community partners and legal allies.
Assist in developing strategic plans that integrate litigation and advocacy efforts.
Benefits
Generous benefits package for eligible employees.
Hybrid work environment with in-office expectations.
Professional development opportunities.
Supportive team culture focused on racial justice.
Full Job Description
LDF seeks an experienced Senior Counsel to join the Litigation Department. The Senior Counsel will strategize on a range of civil rights matters, and lead case teams across LDF's litigation docket. The Senior Counsel will report to the Director of Litigation or a Deputy Director of Litigation.
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:
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 Black people;
Investigating potential claims, preparing complaints, participating in motion practice, discovery, hearings and oral arguments, trials, and appeals;
Supporting LDF's policy team in developing and implementing strategies to advance LDF's policy agenda related to the substantive subject matter areas;
Supervising, managing, and assisting 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 Black communities;
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, organizing, 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.
Qualifications:
Juris Doctor degree;
Minimum of 10 years of litigation experience and admission to the New York, Washington, D.C. or Georgia Bar or eligibility to waive in, based on the office location;
Commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF;
Outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
Broad, relevant litigation experience at the trial and appellate level; experience litigating class action cases strongly preferred;
Federal and/or state advocacy experience related to reform for communities of color;
Effective public speaking experience;
The ability 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; and
A vision for attacking persistent barriers to full access and equality for people of color, and Black people in particular.
LDF's attorney scale sets pay for practicing attorneys based on year of law school graduation and office location. The total salary range for this position by region for candidates with 10-20 years of experience post-law school graduation is as follows:
New York: $164,000 - $224,000
Washington, D.C.: $157,000 - $216,000
Atlanta: $142,500 - $194,500
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: 2026 Benefits Overview.
