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Disability Rights Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Supervising Attorney

$89K - $130K/yr

We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US! Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC) At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to ...

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Disability Rights Attorney information

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$46.5K

$119.1K

$214.5K

How much do disability rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for disability rights attorney in the United States is $119,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Disability Rights Attorney, you need a law degree, active bar membership, and in-depth knowledge of disability law, such as the ADA and Section 504. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and courtroom procedures is typically required. Exceptional advocacy, empathy, and strong written and verbal communication skills help build trust with clients and influence legal outcomes. These skills are vital to effectively represent individuals with disabilities, ensure compliance, and drive systemic change.

What is the difference between Disability Rights Attorney vs Disability Advocate?

AspectDisability Rights AttorneyDisability Advocate
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar LicenseNo formal legal credentials required, but often experienced in disability issues
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal clinicsNonprofits, community organizations, advocacy groups
Employer & IndustryLegal industry, government agencies
Primary FocusLegal representation, litigation, legal advicePolicy advocacy, awareness campaigns, support services

Disability Rights Attorneys focus on legal representation and litigation to protect clients' rights, while Disability Advocates work on policy change and raising awareness without necessarily providing legal services. Both roles are vital in advancing disability rights but differ in their methods and credentials.

What does a Disability Rights Attorney do?

A Disability Rights Attorney is a legal professional who advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. They work on cases involving discrimination, accessibility, education, employment, and public accommodations under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These attorneys may represent clients in court, negotiate settlements, and provide guidance on legal compliance. Their goal is to ensure that people with disabilities receive equal opportunities and are protected from unfair treatment.

What are some common challenges Disability Rights Attorneys face when advocating for clients?

Disability Rights Attorneys often encounter challenges related to complex and evolving regulations, balancing large caseloads, and navigating bureaucratic systems to secure accommodations and protections for clients. They may need to educate employers, schools, or public entities on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws. Additionally, building trust with clients—who may have experienced discrimination or systemic barriers—requires empathy, patience, and strong communication skills. Collaborating with social workers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups is also a key part of the role.
More about Disability Rights Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Disability Rights Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Disability Rights Attorney job openings:
What states have the most Disability Rights Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Disability Rights Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Disability Rights Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Disability Rights Attorney jobs are:
Health & Disability Rights Unit Managing Attorney

Health & Disability Rights Unit Managing Attorney

Atlanta Legal Aid Society

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 16 hours ago


Job description

Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) seeks a Managing Attorney for its expanded Health and Disability Rights Unit. Our non-profit law firm represents low-income persons in a variety of legal matters, including family, housing, consumer, employment, health, public benefits, and education law. This new unit combines our Health Law work for persons with HIV and AIDS, our Medical Legal Partnership with Grady Health Systems, and our Disability Integration Project for adults and children with significant disabilities who are in institutions or who are at risk of entering institutions and for whom we advocate to receive publicly funded home and community-based services (established by the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C.), and support so they can live full lives in the community.  The new unit will enable us to assist clients with a broader range of legal issues affecting their mental and physical health and well-being.  The unit currently consists of an Interim Managing Attorney, 5 staff attorneys, 3 paralegals, and 1 grants coordinator.  We envision hiring one or more staff attorneys to complete the expanded unit.
Responsibilities: 
  • Works closely with Legal Aid’s management team.
  • Responsible for the overall management of the unit, including hiring, training, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating staff.
  • Oversee case assignments and the legal work.
  • Review and respond to client grievances.
  • Review timekeeping and inspect closed files to ensure grant compliance.
  • Communicate and meet with community partners and funders.
  • Attend trainings with and provide training to community partners and funders.
  • Handling an active caseload, although lower than that of the staff attorneys.
  • Conducting staff meetings, administering performance reviews, and cultivating an environment for professional development and growth.
  • Conducting regular one-on-one meetings, providing constructive feedback, and mentoring junior staff.
  • Serving as a point of escalation for complex cases, client issues, or internal conflicts within the unit.

Qualifications: 
  • Active member in good standing in the State Bar of Georgia.
  • A minimum of five years of experience litigating in various legal forums is required.
  • Experience managing staff, including supervising and mentoring attorneys. 
  • Excellent legal writing and oral advocacy skills. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement to resolve issues effectively and fairly.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, hybrid team model, with an appreciation for diversity.
  • Previous experience working with low-income persons and knowledge of the program’s core civil practice areas are preferred.
  • Proficiency in languages other than English is highly valued.

Salary and Benefits: 
  • This position offers a salary of $80,000 for candidates with five years of relevant experience and increases based on additional years of relevant experience and bar admission status. Salaries are reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on available funding.
  • Generous fringe benefits, including 16 paid holidays in 2026, 6 weeks of paid time off (accruing at 2.5 days per month) in the first two years, and 6 weeks of parental leave (12 weeks after one year).
  • Individual health insurance, including optional dental and vision coverage, with partial payment for dependent health insurance.
  • Life, long-term, and short-term disability insurance.
  • Salary reduction option for a flexible spending account.
  • Educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month (after a set off of other loan reimbursement amounts;
  • Voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with 3% match.
  • State Bar of Georgia dues and CLE expenses.
  • A hybrid work schedule that allows staff to work 2 days remotely, subject to the approval of management and a probationary employment period.  Managing attorneys are expected to have a greater presence in the office.

Application Requirements: Submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample which demonstrates your ability to research and analyze legal issues, official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official transcript), and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references with a brief statement as to the connection to the applicant, as one (1) PDF using our online application system at the following link:Atlantalegalaid.org/jobs.  Only applications with all of the requested documents will be considered for an interview.

Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls, please.  For assistance with technical difficulties in submitting your application, please email career@atlantalegalaid.org.
ALAS considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.