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Human Rights Attorney Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

USCRI

Staff Attorney - Pro Bono Coordinator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$88K - $92K/yr

OVERVIEW Reporting to the Senior Director, Humanitarian Legal Services, the Staff Attorney is ... human rights, or public interest law • Program and grant management experience, grant writing ...

GDIT

Defense Investigator

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$107K - $132K/yr

In addition, at least 3 years of experience working with criminal defense, civil rights, immigration, or human rights attorneys on behalf of individual clients. Active US Passport. SKILLS & ABILITIES:

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Human Rights Attorney information

See Washington, DC salary details

$63.8K

$173.3K

$355.4K

How much do human rights attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for human rights attorney in Washington, DC is $173,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,500.00 and $212,100.00 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 Washington, DC? For Human Rights Attorney jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Attorney jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Attorney jobs in Washington, DC are:
Human Rights Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Attorney job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 90% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 72% In-person, 23% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,329 per year, or $83.3 per hour.

Human Rights Associate Attorney

DiCello Levitt LLP

Washington, DC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES: Please do not submit resumes through this link or via direct messaging. Thank you.
Human Rights Associate Attorney
DiCello Levitt LLP
Washington, DC
Join a firm that is shaping front-page headlines pursuing justice every day, whether litigating some of the most significant civil and human rights cases of our time or ensuring that companies take responsibility for their actions and remediate the harm they have caused.
DiCello Levitt, a nationally prominent, Chambers and Benchmark-rated law firm with offices nationwide, is seeking interested individuals for the Civil Rights practice group in the Firm’s Washington, DC office.
Firm Description:
DiCello Levitt is a leading national plaintiffs’ law firm representing clients in class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, civil rights, and mass tort litigation. The firm has delivered $20B+ in awards and settlements to our clients and has been recognized for our excellence in litigation by Chambers USA, Law360, Benchmark Litigation, Lawdragon, and The National Law Journal.

Position Summary:
The Human Rights Associate Attorney will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting complex civil litigation for victims of genocide, war crimes, terrorism, sexual violence, and other human rights abuses in federal, state, and international courts. This position will build cases through international investigations; brief and argue questions of constitutional and national security law, state and foreign tort law, and public international law; substantially lead discovery; and participate in trials and appeals.
Major Duties amp; Responsibilities:
  • Interview victims and conduct open-source investigations on perpetrators and corporate enablers of human rights violations, both domestic and foreign.
  • Analyze and evaluate historical materials, human rights reports, sanctions and export-control regulations, as well as military procurement and command structures to ascertain liability.
  • Consult and develop experts on country conditions, sanctions and anti-money-laundering compliance, U.S. foreign policy, military systems and technology, international finance, and foreign law.
  • Prepare and file complaints, motions, appeals, and correspondence to courts.
  • Present oral argument.
  • Propound and respond to written discovery and conduct meet-and-confers with opposing counsel.
  • Take expert and fact depositions and present witnesses to a jury.
  • Participate in settlement negotiations.
  • Draft commentaries and amicus briefs on issues of human rights and transnational litigation.
  • Follow strict standards of legal ethics when dealing with clients.
  • Work closely with a team of lawyers and collaborate with paralegals and legal assistants.
Knowledge, Skills amp; Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to write and argue complex legal issues through trial and appellate briefs, oral argument, clerkships, or scholarly publications.
  • Understanding of the investigation and prosecution of transnational human rights abuses, money-laundering, sanctions evasion, and/or terrorism financing.
  • Advanced research skills, with the ability to analyze and synthesize complex legal, historical, and international relations issues.
  • Foreign language proficiency a plus.
  • Commitment to our ethos of advancing human and civil rights through rigorous lawyering.
Education amp; Experience:
  • Four plus years of litigation experience.
  • Substantive training and experience in transnational civil litigation, complex civil procedure, international human rights law, international criminal law, and/or national security law (particularly sanctions and export controls).
  • J.D. from an accredited law school.
  • Bar admission in a U.S. jurisdiction; willingness to be admitted in D.C. if not already
What DiCello Levitt Offers:
  • Salary Range: Varies
  • Starting salary is dependent on experience and location
Benefits:
  • Comprehensive benefits package, effective the first day of the month following your start date: medical, dental, vision
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Life Insurance
  • Additional Insurance Plans: Life and AD amp;D and Short-Term Disability plans
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with 3% employer contribution
Time Off:
  • Personal Time Off (PTO)
  • Sick Leave Time (SLT)
  • 10 Paid Holidays Annually
DiCello Levitt LLP is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, membership or service in the armed forces, or any other characteristic protected by law.
DiCello Levitt LLP does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of DiCello Levitt LLP without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of DiCello Levitt LLP. Please, no phone calls or emails.
DiCello Levitt LLP provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities during the interviewing process and on the job. Please include any reasonable accommodation needs in your application.
For more information, visit our website: www.dicellolevitt.com.

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