communications@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON — The NAACP today announced that Kristen Clarke, one of the nation’s most respected civil rights attorneys and legal advocates, has been appointed General Counsel of the Association. The move comes as the Trump Administration works to erode democratic institutions and dismantle civil rights protections. To meet the moment, the NAACP is expanding its own capabilities and ramping up its investment in its legal advocacy efforts by hiring the former senior Justice Department official to fight back. Clarke’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for the NAACP as it mobilizes its legal firepower to protect the right to vote and doubles down on its mission to secure the civil and human rights of Black Americans and all people across the country.
“Kristen Clarke is exactly the legal mind this moment demands,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Her record of fearless advocacy, leadership, and deep commitment to justice makes her the ideal General Counsel to help chart our path forward. As we face unprecedented attacks on voting and civil rights, having Kristen Clarke at the helm of our legal operations brings strategic vision, disciplined leadership, and innovative advocacy. It’s a new day at the NAACP’s Office of General Counsel.”
As General Counsel, Clarke will oversee the NAACP’s legal strategy and operations, leading litigation efforts and the Association’s team of legal scholars, advising senior leadership and the Board of Directors on legal matters, and representing the Association in key legal proceedings addressing the most pressing civil rights and social justice issues of our time. She will work closely with NAACP program teams to ensure the Association’s advocacy, policy, and legal work remain coordinated and impactful, and rooted in the lived experiences of the communities across the country that are the lifeblood of the Association’s efforts.
“The NAACP has stood on the front lines of justice for over a century, and I’m deeply honored to join this historic organization at this critical moment in our democracy,” said Kristen Clarke, NAACP General Counsel. “Our communities are under relentless attack — from the ballot box to their wallets — and this moment demands that we use the full weight of the law to promote justice and accountability. Together, we will protect the right to vote, challenge discrimination in all its forms, and ensure that Black America’s voice is heard loud and clear.”
Clarke brings a distinguished record of leadership, management, expertise, and legal scholarship to this role. Most recently, Clarke was the 19th Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice – the first woman and Black woman to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold this position. As Assistant Attorney General, she led the nation’s largest civil rights law enforcement office and oversaw landmark enforcement actions protecting voting rights, combating hate crimes, advancing police accountability, and expanding equal access to education, employment, and housing. Prior to that, she has held national civil rights leadership roles, including recent service as president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She also continues to serve as a professor at Howard University School of Law, where she works to train future civil rights lawyers, while producing scholarship on hate crimes and civil rights law generally.
The NAACP also announced that Janette McCarthy Wallace, who has served as General Counsel for nearly 5 years and on the NAACP’s legal team for over 9 years, has transitioned to the role of Special Counsel, where she will continue to contribute her deep expertise and institutional knowledge to the Association’s critical work.
“We’re deeply grateful for Janette’s steadfast service and leadership,”continued Johnson. “Her continued contributions as Special Counsel will be invaluable as we forge ahead.”
Clarke’s appointment reflects the NAACP’s commitment to building a powerful, well-resourced legal operation capable of confronting the most pressing civil rights challenges of the day, such as restoring the role of government to serving the public at large and confronting attempts to weaken democracy overall. At this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, the Association is escalating its work to protect voting rights, combat voter suppression, protect civil rights and liberties, and ensure that every eligible American can participate fully in our society.
Following the announcement, civil rights leaders applauded Clarke’s appointment. Below are their statements:
Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center:
“Kristen Clarke is an extraordinary choice to serve as the next General Counsel for the NAACP. She has the expertise and vision needed to confront the challenges facing our democracy and the fight for racial justice in this moment. Kristen approaches her work with sensitivity and empathy for the rights of victims of discrimination – I know that she will help usher the NAACP into a new era and build onto its proud legacy of leadership.”
Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee:
“Kristen Clarke’s appointment to serve as general counsel of the NAACP marks a powerful and exciting moment for the civil rights community. Kristen is a visionary leader whose career has been defined by courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to equal justice under law. From her transformative leadership at the Lawyers’ Committee to her historic tenure leading the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, she has consistently met the urgency of the moment and delivered lasting impact. As a personal friend for nearly 30 years, I have seen first-hand how Kristen has dedicated her career to advancing equity, protecting voting rights, and challenging systemic discrimination.
“The NAACP has long stood as a pillar in the fight for racial justice, and we are proud of our strong partnership, having represented the NAACP and its state conferences, local affiliates, and individual members in dozens of lawsuits in recent years.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Kristen and the NAACP in this next chapter as we lock arms to safeguard our democracy and ensure that justice is not only promised, but realized in the years to come.”
Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League:
“Kristen Clarke is one of our nation’s best and brightest legal minds, and we are excited to congratulate her as she joins the NAACP as its new General Counsel.
“Kristen brings a solid and impressive record as an indefatigable civil rights enforcer as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Biden Administration.
“She will bring passion and expertise to President Derrick Johnson’s leadership team, and we at the National Urban League look forward to working with her to champion the cause of civil rights in this time of challenge for civil rights and democracy.”
Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights:
“In the long march to equal opportunity, Kristen Clarke is a drum major. Her leadership in the courtroom and the corridors of decision-making has always focused on the advancement of Black people and, therefore, the very future of our multi-racial democracy. I have watched Kristen lead at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and had the privilege of working with her when she led the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice and Justice was always her North Star. Her role as General Counsel at the NAACP means her march continues and the movement marches on with her and the NAACP.”
To learn more about how the NAACP is fighting to protect the rights of Black Americans, visit our website.
About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
