NAACP Hires Ex-DOJ Civil Rights Chief Kristen Clarke as Top Lawyer

Clarke will lead the NAACP's legal strategy and litigation efforts on voting rights, gerrymandering, and other civil rights issues.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 6:18pm

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The NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the U.S., has hired Kristen Clarke, a former Biden Justice Department official, to be its next general counsel. Clarke previously led the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and will now oversee the NAACP's legal strategy and operations, including litigation on voter access, gerrymandering, and other civil rights issues.

Why it matters

The NAACP's appointment of Kristen Clarke, a seasoned civil rights lawyer, signals the organization's intent to aggressively combat Republican efforts to dismantle voting rights protections through legal action. Clarke's experience leading the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and her track record of challenging discriminatory practices make her well-suited to lead the NAACP's legal efforts at a critical time for civil rights in America.

The details

In her new role, Clarke will oversee the NAACP's litigation strategy and operations, focusing on issues such as voter access, gerrymandering, and First Amendment rights. The NAACP says Clarke's appointment demonstrates its commitment to mobilizing 'legal firepower' to combat Republican-led attacks on voting rights. During her time at the DOJ, Clarke sought reforms in police departments over abusive practices and was part of the team that prosecuted a white supremacist for hate crimes after a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York.

  • Kristen Clarke was the first woman and first Black woman to lead the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, serving from 2021 to 2024.
  • The NAACP announced Clarke's appointment as its new general counsel on March 25, 2026.

The players

Kristen Clarke

A former Biden Justice Department official who previously led the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. She will now serve as the NAACP's next general counsel, overseeing the organization's legal strategy and operations.

Derrick Johnson

The president and CEO of the NAACP, who said Clarke is 'the legal mind this moment demands' as the organization faces 'unprecedented attacks on voting and civil rights.'

NAACP

The oldest civil rights organization in the U.S., which is mobilizing 'legal firepower' to combat Republican efforts to dismantle voting rights protections.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Kristen Clarke

“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.”

— Kristen Clarke

“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.”

— Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO

The takeaway

The NAACP's hiring of Kristen Clarke, a respected civil rights lawyer with experience leading the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, signals the organization's intent to aggressively defend voting rights and combat other attacks on civil rights through strategic legal action. This move underscores the critical importance of the NAACP's work in the face of ongoing efforts to erode hard-won protections for marginalized communities.