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Civil Rights Lawyer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Washington Lawyers' Committee

Paralegal

Washington, DC · On-site

$53K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs The Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) works to create legal, economic, and social equity ...

Equal Rights Advocates

Advocacy Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitor and respond to developing gender justice, economic security, and civil rights issues in ... Collaborate with ERA's attorneys and staff members to align policy advocacy with litigation ...

Muslim Advocates

Senior Staff Attorney

Washington, DC · Remote

$110K - $130K/yr

Senior Staff Attorney Muslim Advocates (MA)--a national legal-advocacy, social-justice, and ... Experience preparing administrative complaints directed to civil-rights bodies within federal and ...

Department of Justice

Attorney

Washington, DC

$85K/yr

The Civil Rights Division seeks civil and criminal attorneys to work on a variety of significant issues related to the enforcement of federal statutes and executive orders that prohibit unlawful ...

ACLU of DC

Deputy Legal Director

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Investigate, develop, and litigate civil liberties and civil rights cases. Serve as lead or sole co-counsel on cases litigated jointly with national ACLU or non-ACLU cooperating attorneys. * Lead or ...

Alliance Defending Freedom

Senior Counsel

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$195K - $230K/yr

Supervise senior, midlevel, and junior attorneys in complex civil litigation with emphasis on First Amendment law and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights actions. Key Responsibilities * Litigate complex ...

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Civil Rights Lawyer information

See Washington salary details

$66.8K

$128K

$181.8K

How much do civil rights lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil rights lawyer in Washington is $127,972.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,800.00 and $150,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 popular job titles related to Civil Rights Lawyer jobs in Washington?

For Civil Rights Lawyer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Civil Rights Lawyer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Civil Rights Lawyer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Civil Rights Lawyer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Civil Rights Lawyer job openings:

Civil Rights Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Civil Rights Lawyer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,972 per year, or $61.5 per hour.

Summer 2027 Litigation Intern

NAACP LDF Unpaid

Washington, DC • On-site

Temporary, Internship

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (“LDF”) is currently accepting applications from law students for 2027 summer litigation internships for the New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta offices. Summer interns will be in-person in their assigned office two days a week. Summer litigation interns will be responsible for legal research, memorandum writing, factual investigation, development of educational and outreach materials, discovery review, and a host of other needs that arise in LDF’s litigation and advocacy efforts in the areas of Education, Political Participation, Economic Justice, and Criminal Justice. Litigation interns at LDF will work primarily on litigation-related projects in LDF’s Litigation and Strategic Initiatives Departments. Summer interns will be exposed to a variety of activities within the broader national civil rights coalition, including joining a series of brown bag luncheons featuring prominent civil rights and public interest attorneys.

This is an unpaid internship. However, in its discretion, LDF may provide appropriate funding to those who demonstrate they are unable to secure funding from their law school’s public interest programs or other appropriate sources. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply regardless of whether they are able to obtain such funding. Although LDF prefers to hire second-year law students, we will consider first-year law students. Interns are expected to work for at least ten (10) weeks during the summer, but other arrangements may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants should include:

  • Cover letter
  • Résumé
  • 5- to 10-page writing sample
  • A list of three references

Applications are due by Friday, October 2, 2026 and we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Please note in your cover letter whether you would like to be based in New York, Washington D.C., or Atlanta.

As part of LDF’s long-standing commitment to training the next generation of civil rights attorneys, LDF, through our internship program, relies on assistance from law students to support our litigation and advocacy efforts. If you plan to pursue a career in racial justice and civil rights law, we want to hear from you.