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Civil Attorney information

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$59K

$113K

$160.5K

How much do civil attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil attorney in the United States is $112,990.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,000.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Civil Attorney vs Family Lawyer?

AspectCivil AttorneyFamily Lawyer
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admissionJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, government agenciesLaw firms, courts, private practice
Industry UsageHandles civil disputes, contracts, property issuesHandles divorce, child custody, adoption

While both Civil Attorneys and Family Lawyers are licensed to practice law, Civil Attorneys focus on non-criminal civil disputes like contracts and property issues, whereas Family Lawyers specialize in legal matters related to family relationships such as divorce and child custody. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in similar environments, but their areas of expertise differ significantly.

What are civil attorneys and what do they do?

Civil attorneys, also known as civil lawyers, specialize in non-criminal legal matters such as disputes involving contracts, property, family law, personal injury, and more. They represent clients in lawsuits where monetary damages or specific actions are sought, rather than criminal penalties. Civil attorneys can provide legal advice, draft legal documents, negotiate settlements, and represent clients in court. Their main goal is to protect their clients’ legal rights and interests in civil cases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Civil Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Civil Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a strong foundation in civil law, legal research, and case analysis. Proficiency with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, case management software, and familiarity with court filing systems is essential. Outstanding negotiation, analytical thinking, and interpersonal communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure effective client representation, case strategy development, and successful navigation of complex legal proceedings.

What types of cases does a Civil Attorney typically handle, and how does the work vary between different practice areas?

Civil Attorneys handle a broad range of non-criminal legal disputes, such as contract issues, property disagreements, personal injury claims, and employment matters. The nature of the work can vary significantly depending on the attorney's specialization; for example, a personal injury lawyer may spend much of their time negotiating settlements, while a real estate attorney might focus on drafting documents and managing closings. Civil Attorneys often balance research, court appearances, client consultations, and collaboration with paralegals or other attorneys. The diversity of cases ensures that each day presents new challenges and learning opportunities, making adaptability and strong communication skills essential.

What Does a Civil Attorney Do?

A civil attorney handles litigation cases involving issues such as equality, human rights, social injustice, and discrimination. Civil attorneys do not generally handle criminal cases. As a civil attorney, your job duties involve conducting research on cases, drafting legal documents, and negotiating settlements. To pursue a career as a civil attorney, you need to complete law school and pass a state bar exam. Additional qualifications include deductive reasoning, public speaking, and writing skills.

More about Civil Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Civil Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Civil Attorney job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Civil Attorney jobs? The top employers for Civil Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Civil Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Civil Attorney jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Civil Attorney jobs? For Civil Attorney jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Civil Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Civil Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,990 per year, or $54.3 per hour.
AAG-Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Bureau - Chicago

AAG-Assistant Attorney General - Civil Rights Bureau - Chicago

Illinois Attorney General

Springfield, IL • On-site

$84K - $107K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Salary: $84,480.00 - $107,550.00 Annually
Location : Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: AAG-PI-CRB-CHI
Administration: Chief Deputy - Attorney General
Bureau: Civil Rights
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
The mission of the Civil Rights Bureau is to protect and advance the civil rights of all in Illinois.The Bureau monitors, investigates, and enforces civil rights laws on behalf of the state; works to strengthen the civil rights laws; and participates in community outreach and public education efforts. The Bureau's civil rights authority includes:
  • Addressing patterns and practices of discrimination in housing, public accommodations (including education), employment, and financial services.
  • Addressing patterns and practices of unlawful or unconstitutional conduct by police departments or county corrections.
  • Bringing civil hate crimes lawsuits under the Illinois hate crimes statute.
  • Monitoring the compliance of public and private colleges and universities in Illinois with the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act.
  • Enforcing and monitoring compliance with the Illinois Trust Act and VOICES Act, which govern law enforcement interactions with immigrant communities.

As a proactive and responsive force that has the authority to identify, investigate, and dismantle systemic inequities across the state of Illinois, the Civil Rights Bureau serves as a national model in civil rights protection and adapts to respond to pressing civil rights concerns.
An Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau builds cases and conducts investigations regarding alleged patterns and practices of civil rights violations. Assistant Attorneys General investigate civil rights complaints, draft pleadings, draft and respond to motions, conduct discovery, manage mediations and settlements, and represent the interests of the People of the State of Illinois in court. Assistant Attorneys General assess and enforce compliance with the Way Forward Act, the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and the Chicago Police Department consent decree. Assistant Attorneys General also advise the office on proposed legislation related to civil rights, draft statewide guidance on issues pertaining to civil rights laws, and participate in community outreach.
Qualifications
Candidates must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois at the time of application. Candidates should have at least three years of post-J.D. legal experience; experienced attorneys are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have demonstrated commitment to public service and experience in enforcing state and/or federal civil rights laws. Candidates must also be able to work independently, interact with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders, and possess strong research, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
Supplemental Information
Salary: Salaries are commensurate with number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and range from $ 84,480 to $ 107,550.
To ensure full consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:
Attn: Hanan Malik
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
115 S. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 814-3695
(312) 814-5024 (Fax)
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
As an employee of the Illinois Attorney General's Office, you'll have access to many great benefits. Join the legal team responsible for protecting the public interest of the state and the people of Illinois!
  • Health and Dental insurance along with free Vision insurance*
  • Pension Benefits through the State Employees'; Retirement System
  • Deferred Compensation: supplemental retirement savings program-457k
  • Commuter Savings Program: pre-tax transportation program
  • Flexible Spending: Medical and Dependent pre-tax savings program
  • Life insurance benefit: free with option to purchase additional (up to 8 x your annual salary) at low cost. Spouse and child life insurance available
  • Disability coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program through ComPsych
  • Holidays: 13 1/2 paid
  • Vacation days: minimum of 12 days, maximum of 27 days, prorated
  • Personal days: 4 annually
  • Floating Holiday: 1 annually
  • Sick days: 1 per month
  • For attorneys, office provided Continuing Legal Education
  • Semi-monthly payroll

*Health and Dental cost ranges: for single: $131.00 - $314.00 monthly; for family: $299.00 - $653.00 monthly
For more information on benefits:

Apply