ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Human Rights Law Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHuman Rights Law Jobs

Human Rights Law information

See salary details

$13

$25

$41

How much do human rights law jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for human rights law in the United States is $25.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do human rights lawyers do?

Human rights lawyers advocate for individuals and groups whose rights have been violated, often working on cases related to discrimination, torture, or freedom of expression. They research laws, prepare legal documents, and represent clients in court or negotiations to promote justice and compliance with international human rights standards.

What is human rights law?

Human rights law is a branch of law that focuses on protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. It covers legal standards, both international and domestic, that ensure people are treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, or other status. Human rights lawyers work on cases involving issues like discrimination, freedom of speech, torture, and the right to a fair trial. This field often involves advocacy, litigation, and policy work to uphold human rights standards globally.

What can you do with a human rights law degree?

A human rights law degree prepares individuals for roles such as human rights lawyer, legal advocate, policy analyst, or nonprofit director. Graduates often work for government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs, utilizing skills in legal research, advocacy, and case analysis to promote justice and protect vulnerable populations.

What is the difference between Human Rights Law vs Immigration Law?

AspectHuman Rights LawImmigration Law
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in human rightsLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in immigration
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, international courts, NGOsGovernment agencies, law firms, immigration courts
Employer & IndustryInternational bodies, NGOs, advocacy groupsFederal/state agencies, private firms, immigration services

Human Rights Law focuses on protecting fundamental rights globally, often involving advocacy and international legal frameworks. Immigration Law centers on assisting individuals with visas, asylum, and residency issues within a specific country. While both require legal expertise and involve advocacy, their scope, work environment, and client focus differ significantly.

How much do top human rights lawyers make?

Top human rights lawyers can earn between $100,000 and $200,000 or more annually, depending on experience, location, and the organization they work for. Senior attorneys at prominent NGOs or international agencies tend to have higher salaries, often supplemented by benefits and bonuses.

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

To thrive as a Human Rights Lawyer, you need a law degree, admission to the bar, and a solid understanding of international and domestic human rights law. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and relevant international legal instruments is typically required. Strong advocacy, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication are critical soft skills for representing diverse clients and working with various organizations. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure effective legal representation, influence policy, and protect fundamental rights in complex legal environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Human Rights Law?

Professionals in Human Rights Law often encounter challenges such as managing emotionally intense cases, navigating complex international and domestic legal frameworks, and dealing with limited resources when advocating for vulnerable populations. Balancing client needs with the demands of advocacy and litigation can be demanding, especially when cases involve sensitive issues or exist in politically charged contexts. However, working collaboratively with NGOs, government agencies, and international bodies helps build support systems and enhances the overall impact of their work.

How to get a career in human rights law?

To pursue a career in human rights law, obtain a law degree and gain experience through internships or volunteer work with human rights organizations. Developing strong research, advocacy, and communication skills, as well as understanding international law and human rights treaties, is essential for success in this field.
More about Human Rights Law jobs
What cities are hiring for Human Rights Law jobs? Cities with the most Human Rights Law job openings:
What states have the most Human Rights Law jobs? States with the most job openings for Human Rights Law jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Law jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Law jobs are:
Human Rights Law jobs near you
Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy Legal Fellow

Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy Legal Fellow

Human Rights First

Remote

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Human Rights First’s Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy team seeks to sponsor a law student or recent law school graduate as a legal fellow for a one- or two-year fellowship commencing in fall 2027. We seek current law student applicants who intend to apply for Equal Justice Works, or another privately-funded, one- or two-year public service fellowship. Applicants must graduate from law school no later than summer 2027.
Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and action organization committed to defending human rights. Our Refugee and Immigrant Rights Policy team works to promote the protection of refugee, reform U.S. asylum law, policies and practices, address deficiencies in the U.S. resettlement system, and bring other U.S. immigration policies and practices into line with international refugee protection and human rights law standards.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
​
The fellow will work full-time to conduct legal, factual, and policy research and reporting, conduct policy analysis, and advance advocacy efforts to promote the protection of refugees and rights of immigrants. They will be supervised by and receive mentoring by the team’s senior research and policy counsel. Previous legal fellows with Human Rights First have had the opportunity to, among other things:
  • Engage in advocacy on behalf of detained individuals seeking asylum
  • Conduct research and advocacy on border policies impacting people seeking asylum and the detention of children and parents
  • Research the barriers that asylum seekers with disabilities face in immigration court and before the asylum office
  • Draft press releases, policy recommendations, and reports to advocate for systemic change of the asylum system, many of which have been reported in media outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Buzzfeed News
Human Rights First is primarily interested in projects that will support our efforts to advance due process and address systemic impediments to access to asylum and access to counsel and fair proceedings during border processes, in immigration detention, and during adjudications, particularly given unlawful restrictions in place by current policies and practices, including forced third country transfers. There may also be an opportunity to support the Refugee Representation team with limited scope direct representation of asylum seekers, which would be supervised by an attorney on the Refugee Representation team.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
  • A U.S. law degree (J.D.) by summer 2027
  • Admission to a state bar or pending admission as of fall 2027
  • Previous experience working with asylum-seekers or immigrants, through law school clinics, judicial clerkships, or legal internships
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated ability to translate highly-technical material for a variety of audiences
  • Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
  • Familiarity with U.S. immigration law and policy
  • Ability to take initiative, manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues
  • Willingness to travel occasionally within the United States to conduct research on access to asylum and document the impact of U.S. asylum policies
  • Fluency in Spanish is preferred, and fluency in another language, such as an Indigenous language of the Americas, Haitian Kreyol, or French, is desirable
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Competencies (DEIA)
Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:
  • Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners
  • Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity in all the work you do
  • Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Dedicate efforts to enriching DEIA consciousness throughout our office-wide interactions
  • Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook
Position is remote but must be based near one of our Washington, D.C., New York City, or Los Angeles offices.
Salary Range $65,000 to $70,000.

Apply