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Human Rights Attorney Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cybercoders

Associate Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $225K/yr

Manage a caseload of education law and civil rights litigation matters, including Title IX, IDEA ... A human recruiter reviews all results. Click here for details on our virtual recruiter . Everforth ...

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How much do human rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for human rights attorney in California is $151,602.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,300.00 and $185,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Human Rights Attorney, you need a robust understanding of human rights law, strong legal research and writing abilities, and a Juris Doctor degree with relevant bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), international legal frameworks, and certifications in human rights law are often required. Excellent advocacy, negotiation skills, cultural sensitivity, and resilience under pressure distinguish outstanding professionals in this field. These skills are crucial for effectively representing clients, advancing human rights causes, and navigating complex, often emotionally charged legal challenges.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Human Rights Attorney?

As a Human Rights Attorney, your daily responsibilities may include conducting legal research, drafting briefs and legal documents, meeting with clients or advocacy groups, and representing clients in court or before administrative bodies. You will often investigate claims of human rights abuses, collaborate with non-governmental organizations or international bodies, and stay informed about relevant legal developments. The role may also involve advocating for policy changes or public awareness initiatives. These tasks require strong communication and organizational skills, as well as a deep commitment to justice and human rights.

What does a Human Rights Attorney do?

A Human Rights Attorney advocates for individuals and groups whose fundamental rights have been violated. They may work on cases involving discrimination, refugee rights, freedom of speech, or humanitarian law. Their responsibilities include legal research, representation in court, policy advocacy, and working with international human rights organizations. They often collaborate with NGOs, government agencies, and advocacy groups to promote and protect human rights globally.

What are popular job titles related to Human Rights Attorney jobs in California? For Human Rights Attorney jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Attorney jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Attorney jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Human Rights Attorney jobs? Cities in California with the most Human Rights Attorney job openings:
Human Rights Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Attorney job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,602 per year, or $72.9 per hour.

Legal Services Compliance Director

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE - Legal Services Compliance Director
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA organizes and serves individuals, institutions and coalitions to build power, transform public opinions, and change policies to achieve full human, civil and labor rights. Guided by power, love, and vision of our community, CHIRLA embraces and drives progressive social change.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking an experienced Legal Services Compliance Director to serve as the organization's chief legal advisor. This role is essential for shaping the legal, strategic, and ethical direction of the agency. The Legal Services Compliance Director will ensure that all CHIRLA's legal programs and services comply with legal requirements, manage risks, support litigation efforts, promote high-quality legal services, and mentor attorneys across departments. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the Director of the Legal Service Department, the General Counsel, and the Executive Leadership Team to provide thoughtful guidance that strengthens internal systems, enhances legal practices, and supports mission-driven decision-making.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide comprehensive legal oversight for the organization, offering counsel to Leadership, Department Directors, and the Board on matters involving nonprofit governance, employment issues, contracts, policies, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain and update policies and protocols that support ethical practice, legal compliance, and organizational accountability.
  • Ensure that all service areas, particularly immigration, workers' rights, and housing, operate in accordance with relevant laws, professional standards, and agency expectations.
  • Support the legal programs through substantive expertise and quality control.
  • Review complex casework, provide feedback on legal strategies, and assist departments in developing practices that ensure consistent, high-quality representation.
  • Lead and support internal audits and quality-assurance initiatives and oversee the review of legal documents and filings when needed.
  • Contribute to litigation strategies across the organization, including the impact of litigation, class actions, administrative proceedings, and other system-changing legal efforts. This may include co-counseling, advising case development, collaborating with partner organizations, or coordinating with external counsel to advance major litigation initiatives.
  • Ensure that all litigation activities adhere to professional responsibility rules and align with the organization's broader mission and priorities.
  • Provide staff development and mentorship guidance to the Department Director, Managing Director, Supervising Attorney, and Staff Attorneys to help them navigate complex legal questions, ethical issues, and emerging legal developments.
  • Provide training, facilitating learning opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability across the legal teams.
  • Manage the organization's contracting and risk-management needs. This includes reviewing and negotiating contracts, memorandum of understanding, settlement agreements, and vendor or consultant agreements, as well as ensuring compliance with grant and government-contract requirements.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
  • JD and an active membership in the California State Bar in good standing.
  • At least ten years of relevant legal experience with substantial experience in immigration, workers' rights, housing, civil rights, or related public-interest fields.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising attorneys or managing legal teams, as well as a solid understanding of nonprofit law, compliance, and governance.
  • Strong analytical abilities, excellent communication and writing skills, and a deep commitment to the organization's mission and values are essential.
  • Experience in working in a nonprofit legal services setting, experience with impact or federal litigation, and multilingual abilities, particularly Spanish and English, spoken by immigrant communities served by the organization.
  • Experience designing or implementing quality control systems.
  • Must have experience working with underserved and diverse populations.
Preferred
  • Project, team, or organizational management experience plus.
  • Experience working at a non-profit organization.
Desired Traits or Characteristics
  • Ability to maintain positive working relationships with staff, members, and allies.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure with last-minute deadlines.
  • Experience collaborating with community organizations in the local geographic area.
  • Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, can learn quickly, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of legal staff.
  • Must be able to work efficiently and manage multiple projects at once, which may be at different stages of design and execution.
  • Self-motivated - proven ability to work independently and open to being innovative and creative
  • Dedication and ability to work flexible hours.
  • Ability to plan and prioritize work activities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
  • Excellent problem-solving and follow-through skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Strong commitment to CHIRLA's mission of empowering low-income community groups and immigrants.
  • Support CHIRLA's fundraising goals, including the annual fundraising drive and GALA activities

JOB TITLE: Legal Services Compliance Director
Salary & Benefits: $135,000 - $145,000
CHIRLA provides a competitive salary based on qualifications, along with an excellent benefits package
that includes generous time-off benefits, a 401(k) plan, and health, dental, and vision coverage.
FLSA Classification: Exempt/salary, full-time regular
Classification: CHIRLA recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with AFSCME District Council 36.
This is a management position, not included in CHIRLA's collective bargaining agreement.
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
CLOSING DATE OF THIS POSITION: Position will remain open until filled
LOCATION: Los Angeles, Headquarters CA
CHIRLA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and
administers all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, appointment, promotion,
compensation, benefits, transfers, training and educational opportunities without regard to pregnancy,
childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information as defined by the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity or expression,
national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered
domestic partner status, age (40 or older), sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, pregnancy or pregnancy
related disability, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or
ordinance or regulation. All such discrimination is unlawful. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination
based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who
has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.
Open Positions are available at: www.CHIRLA.org/Career Center use link - Career Center - The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
All Applicants will be required to complete an Application for Employment prior to any scheduled interview.

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