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Civil Rights Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required. Position Status: Exempt Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required. Position Status: Exempt Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required. Position Status: Exempt Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR San Diego

Senior Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Senior Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, Occasional evenings and weekends required. Status: Exempt Pay Range: $90,000 - $115,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR San Diego

Senior Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Senior Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, Occasional evenings and weekends required. Status: Exempt Pay Range: $90,000 - $115,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR San Diego

Senior Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$90K - $115K/yr

Senior Civil Rights Attorney Work Location: San Diego, CA Term: Full-time, Occasional evenings and weekends required. Status: Exempt Pay Range: $90,000 - $115,000/year commensurate with skills and ...

CAIR LA

Civil Rights Senior Staff Attorney

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

Civil Rights Managing Attorney Generous Benefits : 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and ...

CAIR LA

Civil Rights Senior Staff Attorney

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

Civil Rights Managing Attorney Generous Benefits : 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 3% employer-matched retirement plan, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and ...

DataAnnotation

Human Rights Lawyer

Charleston, WV · On-site

$50 - $60/hr

We are looking for a Human Rights Lawyer to join our team to train AI models. You will measure the ... civil litigation, constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, family law ...

Eisenberg & Baum, LLP

Civil Rights Paralegal

New York, NY · On-site

$50K - $75K/yr

Prior experience in civil rights litigation * 1+ years of paralegal/legal assistant experience RESPONSIBILITIES The successful candidate will support our attorneys in all aspects of litigation ...

DataAnnotation

Human Rights Lawyer

Lansing, MI · On-site

$50 - $60/hr

Position Summary We are looking for a Human Rights Lawyer to join our team to train AI models. You ... Relevant Expertise corporate law criminal law civil litigation constitutional law administrative ...

DataAnnotation

Human Rights Lawyer

Tallahassee, FL · Remote

$40/hr

Overview Join to apply for the Human Rights Lawyer role at DataAnnotation . We are looking for ... civil litigation, constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, family law ...

DataAnnotation

Human Rights Lawyer

Florida, NY · Remote

$40/hr

Overview Join to apply for the Human Rights Lawyer role at DataAnnotation . We are looking for ... civil litigation, constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, family law ...

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Civil Rights Lawyer information

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How much do civil rights lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil rights lawyer 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 Rights Lawyer vs Employment Lawyer?

AspectCivil Rights LawyerEmployment Lawyer
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar LicenseJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar License
Work EnvironmentCourts, law firms, advocacy organizationsCorporate offices, law firms, government agencies
Industry UsagePublic interest, civil rights advocacyWorkplace disputes, labor law
Common Search IntentLegal rights violations, discrimination casesWorkplace discrimination, wrongful termination

While both Civil Rights Lawyers and Employment Lawyers hold similar credentials and often work in legal settings, Civil Rights Lawyers focus on protecting individuals' constitutional rights and fighting discrimination in various contexts. Employment Lawyers specialize in workplace-related issues like employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and labor disputes. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right legal expertise for their specific needs.

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

To thrive as a Civil Rights Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a strong understanding of constitutional and civil rights law. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and experience with litigation management systems are typically required. Outstanding written and oral advocacy, analytical thinking, and a deep sense of empathy make someone stand out in this role. These skills are vital for effectively defending clients' rights, navigating complex legal cases, and driving societal change.

What are some common challenges faced by civil rights lawyers in their daily work?

Civil rights lawyers often encounter complex legal and emotional challenges, such as advocating for clients facing systemic discrimination or navigating evolving laws and precedents. They may manage heavy caseloads, tight deadlines, and emotionally charged situations, requiring strong resilience and empathy. Additionally, these lawyers frequently collaborate with advocacy groups, government agencies, and communities to build cases and raise awareness, making teamwork and communication skills essential. Staying current with legal developments and balancing client advocacy with legal strategy are also key aspects of the role.

What does a civil rights lawyer do?

A civil rights lawyer specializes in protecting and advocating for individuals' civil liberties and rights as guaranteed by laws and the Constitution. They often handle cases involving discrimination, police misconduct, freedom of speech, and equal protection under the law. Civil rights lawyers may work for private firms, non-profit organizations, or government agencies, and their work can include litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. Their goal is to ensure that individuals' rights are upheld and that injustices are addressed through legal means.
More about Civil Rights Lawyer jobs
What cities are hiring for Civil Rights Lawyer jobs? Cities with the most Civil Rights Lawyer job openings:
What states have the most Civil Rights Lawyer jobs? States with the most job openings for Civil Rights Lawyer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Civil Rights Lawyer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Civil Rights Lawyer jobs are:
Civil Rights Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Civil Rights Lawyer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% As Needed, 38% Full Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,990 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Civil Rights Attorney

CAIR San Diego

San Diego, CA • On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Title: Civil Rights Attorney
Work Location: San Diego, CA
Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required.
Position Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000/year commensurate with skills and experience
Reports to: Executive Director
Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 401(k) plan with an employer match, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and 12 holidays. Budget for legal association membership fee, bar license renewal fee, CLE funding support, and malpractice insurance. Temporary hybrid work schedule, with three days in-person and two days remote.
About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization at the frontlines in protecting the rights of free speech, freely practicing one's faith, pursuing employment opportunities without harassment, and living as an active and engaged American without reprisal. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. We recognize that our employees are passionate and talented and are our most valuable resource. With an important vision to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding, our diverse workforce stands together to demonstrate our values for everyone who joins the efforts.
About the Role: CAIR-CA is seeking a dedicated attorney to advance and defend the civil and human rights of the American Muslim community at a time when those rights are increasingly under threat. This role offers a powerful opportunity to engage in impactful civil rights advocacy-working directly with community members, challenging systemic discrimination, and helping shape legal strategies that promote justice, safety, and dignity.
The attorney in this role will support individuals and families navigating discrimination, harassment, and civil liberties violations, while also contributing to broader legal and grassroots efforts that address patterns of misconduct and inequity. Success in this position requires sound legal judgment and a strong commitment to public interest law in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
This role is ideal for an attorney who is motivated by impact, values collaboration, and is seeking meaningful work that extends beyond individual cases to create lasting change.
Practice Areas: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties (Religious Freedom), Employment, National Security & Law Enforcement Practices, Public Accommodations, Prisoners' Rights, School Issues, Hate Crimes/Incidents, etc.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Review and investigate an array of legal claims brought by an incredibly diverse community.
  • Conduct intakes of legal claims as necessary through effective communication with members of the community.
  • Manage a considerable caseload (our attorneys currently manage approximately 200+ intakes each per year)
  • Provide assistance on assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs.
  • Depending on experience, identify, develop, lead, and manage assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs.
  • Perform in-depth legal research.
  • Legal writing including, but not limited to, drafting complaints, discovery, briefs, letters, and memos; and non-legal writing, including drafting community advisories, issuing briefings, and reports
  • Communicate with outside parties such as attorneys, employers, law enforcement agents, administrative agencies, media contacts, etc.
  • Work to educate and empower community members on their rights through community presentations and material distributions.
  • Prepare and assist in CAIR-California reports.
  • Travel for outreach, including participating in community events and coalition meetings
  • All CAIR staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and other office tasks as required

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited school
  • California State Bar admission
  • 1-3+ years of experience advocating for, representing, and/or litigating on behalf of clients in areas such as employment law, religious discrimination, public accommodation, denial of benefits by governmental and private actors in courts and administrative agencies
  • Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
  • Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience
  • Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
  • Access to a working vehicle and the ability to drive throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area
  • High degree of self-motivation and creativity
  • A strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR's mission
  • Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of MS Office, and MS Outlook
  • Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint, Office365, WestLaw Next, Lexis Nexis and social media applications (preferred)
  • Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu (preferred but not required)

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter, resume with writing sample and 3 professional references.
Equal Employment Opportunity: CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

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