The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) seeks an attorney with at least 5 years of litigation experience to join its Criminal Justice Project and challenge - through litigation, public education and policy initiatives - racial bias in the criminal justice system with a particular focus on the devastating impact of the "War on Drugs" on the African-American community.

The nation's first Legal Defense Fund, LDF is a non-profit law firm committed to civil rights. Because LDF has long recognized that in the United States, criminal laws and policies are often used to enforce the subordination of persons of color, LDF has a long history of litigating criminal cases with significant implications for communities of color. For example, LDF secured the Supreme Court victories that yielded the temporary cessation of the death penalty (Furman v. Georgia) and abolished capital punishment for rape (Coker v. Georgia); exposed the racially targeted drug sweep in Tulia, Texas; and secured a presidential pardon for Kemba Smith (a young mother who was sentenced to 24 ½ years in federal prison for her minor role in a drug conspiracy). Because LDF firmly believes that laws and policies implemented under the rubric of the "War on Drugs" have significantly worsened the already prominent racial disparities within the criminal justice system, LDF seeks an attorney to bring impact litigation challenges focusing on "Drug War" issues (in the form of both direct representation and amicus briefs) and to promote policy reform and public education through public speaking, legal training, preparation of reports, etc. The attorney will also work with the members of the Criminal Justice Project on other focus areas.

The ideal candidate for this position will have at least 5 years of relevant litigation experience; a demonstrated commitment to criminal justice; outstanding research and writing skills; the ability to work collaboratively; a strong initiative; and the capacity for creative and independent thinking.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and list of references t

Christina Swarns

Director, Criminal Justice Project

NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.

99 Hudson Street, 16th Floor

New York, N.Y. 10013

212-219-2052 (fax)

jobs@naacpldf.org

No calls please. LDF seeks to fill this position immediately.

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. ============