The NAACP Names Ex-DOJ Civil Rights Chief Kristen Clarke as Its Top Lawyer

March 27, 2026

The NAACP has appointed Kristen Clarke, who previously served as the first Black woman to lead the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, as its new general counsel. In her new role, Clarke will direct the organization's legal strategy and spearhead litigation on critical issues including voting rights, gerrymandering, and First Amendment protections. During her tenure at the DOJ from 2021 to early 2025, she worked on major civil rights cases including police reform efforts and the prosecution of hate crimes.

Who is affected

Kristen Clarke (new general counsel)
The NAACP organization
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson
Communities facing voting rights challenges and civil rights attacks
Voters of color
States dealing with voting rights issues
President Donald Trump (subject of previous NAACP lawsuit)

What action is being taken

Kristen Clarke is serving as a professor at Howard University School of Law (which she will continue while working for the NAACP)
The NAACP is mobilizing legal resources to combat Republican efforts to dismantle voting rights protections

Why it matters

This appointment is significant because it positions a highly experienced civil rights attorney to lead the NAACP's legal efforts during a critical period when voting rights and civil liberties are under heightened threat. Clarke brings strategic expertise from her groundbreaking work at the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, including prosecuting hate crimes and pursuing police reform. Her leadership strengthens the NAACP's capacity to challenge what the organization views as systematic attacks on democratic participation and constitutional protections, particularly for communities of color, at a time when legal advocacy is essential to defending civil rights gains from the Civil Rights Movement era.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint