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Human Rights Attorney Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Malman Law

New Case Coordinator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$45K - $50K/yr

This position works closely with attorneys, paralegals, and team leads to move cases toward ... In accordance with applicable Illinois law, including amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act ...

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Payroll Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$72K - $77K/yr

Load non-exempt hours files, including those for hourly attorneys and load bi-weekly HR employee ... If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please ...

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All JobsHuman Rights Attorney JobsHuman Rights Attorney Jobs in Illinois

Human Rights Attorney information

See Illinois salary details

$54.8K

$148.9K

$305.2K

How much do human rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for human rights attorney in Illinois is $148,855.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,600.00 and $182,200.00 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 Illinois? For Human Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Attorney jobs in Illinois are:
Human Rights Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Attorney job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $148,855 per year, or $71.6 per hour.
Director of Litigation

Director of Litigation

National Immigrant Justice Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

$160K - $208K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About NIJC
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 160 people, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.
Job Summary:
The Director of Litigation oversees NIJC's federal court litigation docket and serves as a key member of NIJC's senior leadership team and reports to the Executive Director The Director will maintain a substantive docket of litigation while overseeing the work of the litigation team, which currently includes 20 people. NIJC's current litigation portfolio is a mix of affirmative district court work and appeals of individual cases to the circuit courts. The district court work is focused on (a) interior enforcement and challenges to DHS's arrest practices, (b) access to asylum and other substantive immigration remedies, (c) challenges to the detention of immigrants (habeas) and the conditions that immigrants face while detained, and (d) challenges to regulations and policies that undermine the procedural fairness of the immigration system. The appellate docket is informed largely by the experiences of NIJC's agency level clients, but routinely focuses on asylum and protection-related appeals as well as crim-imm related challenges. The Director will be expected to contribute to these broad focus areas. As a member of the senior leadership team, this position will also work closely with directors and associate directors across NIJC to develop and implement NIJC's strategic plan and support executing NIJC's mission. The Director is also expected to serve as a spokesperson for NIJC's litigation efforts with a wide array of stakeholders including funders and the media. Some travel may be necessary. Because NIJC's litigation strategy is informed by the experiences of NIJC's agency-level clients, the Director is also expected to work closely with NIJC's direct services teams to identify priorities for litigation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Ensure effective and efficient delivery of high-quality legal services across the team.
  • Identify emerging issues for litigation, make strategic choices regarding case selection, and ensure appropriate staffing across cases.
  • Supervise team's work across cases in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws; establish and oversee professional development plans for members of the litigation team.
  • Build and maintain relationships with national litigation partners and immigration legal service providers and represent NIJC in these networks. Contribute to and oversee team's work with pro bono and nonprofit partners to maximize NIJC's ability to contribute to meaningful litigation.
  • Maintain a substantive case load consistent with the overall needs of the team, conduct final review of significant briefs and filings, and argue cases before all levels of federal court where appropriate.
  • Participate in strategic planning, grant writing, funder reporting, and budget development for the litigation team and NIJC more broadly.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with grant requirements and programmatic goals, including in the collection of data regarding NIJC's litigation practice.
  • Collaborate on policy, communication and advocacy on strategy, impact and messaging

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
  • Education and/or Experience: A Juris Doctor and a minimum of ten years of litigation experience since being barred. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of five or more years' experience in a supervisory role and a minimum of five or more years of immigration-specific litigation experience. Experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred.
  • Language Skills: Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
  • Team Leadership: Ability to guide, influence, mentor and lead others toward a shared goal

Competencies
  • Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Legal Skills: Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret immigration laws and regulations, professional journals, and technical procedures. Ability to draft legal briefs, memos, reports, correspondence, and procedural manuals. Ability to orally advocate with courts. Must also be able to present information and respond to questions from funders, media, managers, clients, and the public.
  • Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical and complex problems and including and especially in situations where there are limited precedents or standardization models to rely on. Ability to interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

To apply please Include:
  1. Your resume
  2. A brief cover letter that highlights your interest in this role, why the work resonates with you, and any experience that connects to NIJC's mission and the responsibilities of the position.

Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
  • The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
  • Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
For any technical issues please contact

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