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Civil Rights Attorney Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Amundsen Davis LLC

Litigation Attorney

Chicago, IL · On-site

... civil litigation as well as some trial experience. Candidates must be licensed to practice law in ... For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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Civil Rights Attorney information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$60.8K

$116.4K

$165.3K

How much do civil rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil rights attorney in Chicago, IL is $116,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,700.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by Civil Rights Attorneys in their daily work?

Civil Rights Attorneys often encounter complex cases that require extensive legal research, detailed documentation, and persistent advocacy, sometimes over prolonged periods. They may face challenging circumstances such as representing clients with sensitive backgrounds or taking on cases against powerful institutions, which can be emotionally and professionally demanding. Collaboration with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other attorneys is important to build strong cases and support clients effectively. Staying current on evolving legal precedents and legislation is also essential to succeed in this dynamic field.

What does a Civil Rights Attorney do?

A Civil Rights Attorney advocates for individuals whose rights have been violated under laws protecting freedoms such as speech, equality, and due process. They handle cases involving discrimination, wrongful arrests, voting rights, and other constitutional issues. Their work includes legal research, filing lawsuits, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court to ensure justice and uphold civil liberties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Civil Rights Attorney position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Civil Rights Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong expertise in constitutional and civil rights law. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as case management software, is commonly required. Outstanding advocacy, negotiation, and interpersonal skills are essential for connecting with clients and effectively presenting cases. These abilities are crucial for advancing clients' rights, navigating complex legal challenges, and achieving meaningful outcomes through litigation or negotiation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL? For Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Civil Rights Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Civil Rights Attorney jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Civil Rights Attorney job openings:
Civil Rights Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Civil Rights Attorney job openings in Chicago, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $116,396 per year, or $56 per hour.
Supervising Attorney

Supervising Attorney

Center for Disability & Elder Law

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

Salary:

Supervising Attorney

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. CDELs clients, individuals often marginalized by age, disability and poverty, may have difficulty accessing the legal system. CDEL strives to provide access to the legal system to assist our clients in asserting their legal rights and live better lives.

CDEL seeks a full-time Supervising Attorney to oversee its intake process and general practice area. The Supervising Attorney will lead a team of staff attorneys, paralegals, coordinators and interns.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise a team of staff attorneys, paralegals, coordinators and interns
  • Ensure that all intakes are processed correctly and timely
  • Advise and represent clients in civil court on matters
  • Negotiate resolutions with opposing counsel and opposing parties
  • Manage a time-sensitive caseload
  • Ensure grant reporting compliance for certain programs
  • Provide supervision to interns and volunteers
  • Draft, file, and present dispositive motions in court
  • Monitor and interpret laws, rules, and ordinances
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois
  • At least five years of experience as a practicing attorney
  • Experience with consumer debt, housing matters and/or public benefits preferred
  • Demonstrated commitment to CDELs client base, including working with older adults and people with disabilities
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines
  • Enthusiastic about providing legal services throughout communities in and around Chicago
  • Enjoys engaging with clients and other staff
  • Desire to work with and mentor interns and pro bono volunteers
  • Detail-oriented
  • Creative and innovative approach to solving problems
  • Works collaboratively and communicates transparently with other staff members
  • Previous management experience preferred

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $89,000-$99,000, depending on experience. Full-time position.

CDEL offers a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, a 401(k) planwith matching, access to Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance.Chicago Bar Association Membership is provided at no cost. Annual ARDC registration fees are reimbursed. CDEL also has a generous personal time off policy.

About the Organization

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) is a dynamic 501(c)(3) legal aid organization dedicated to empowering low-income older adults and persons with disabilities in Chicago and Cook County through pro bono legalassistance. Founded by the Chicago Bar Association in 1982, CDEL servesapproximately3,000 clients annually, delivering access to justice and improving lives.

With a talented in-house team and a network of hundreds of volunteer attorneys, students, and paralegals, CDEL focuses on resolving legal challenges in four key practice areas: end-of-life planning, adult guardianship, housing, and consumer issues. Through innovative programs and passionate advocacy, CDEL ensures that legal solutions are within reachforthousands of individuals every year, enabling them to lead their lives with dignity and security.

CDEL is an equal opportunity employer. We are a welcoming community that engages, encourages, and empowers those who are members of underrepresented communities. We are a dedicated advocate for our clients who hold many diverse identities and experiences, across race, color, sex, age, religion, class, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge, source of income, housing status, and gender identity. We believe that these communities must be centeredinthe work we do. Hence, we encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized and underrepresented communities to apply for this position. We also encourage you to read our Diversity,Equityand Inclusion Statement available on our website.

Position is openimmediatelyand will be closed when filled. Applications received byMarch 15, 2026will be given preference.