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Human Rights Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Human Rights First

Managing Attorney

Los Angeles, CA

$120K - $130K/yr

Ensure that clients accepted into Human Rights First's pro bono representation program receive high-quality legal representation from Refugee Representation staff and pro bono attorneys by providing ...

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

CAIR-CA is seeking a dedicated attorney to advance and defend the civil and human rights of the American Muslim community at a time when those rights are increasingly under threat. This role offers a ...

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

CAIR-CA is seeking a dedicated attorney to advance and defend the civil and human rights of the American Muslim community at a time when those rights are increasingly under threat. This role offers a ...

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Human Rights Lawyer information

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$47K

$100.6K

$138K

How much do human rights lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for human rights lawyer in the United States is $100,626.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you become a human rights attorney?

To become a human rights attorney, you typically need to earn a bachelor's degree followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. After graduation, passing the state bar exam is required to practice law, and gaining experience through internships or clerkships in human rights organizations can be beneficial.

What does a Human Rights Lawyer do?

A Human Rights Lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in cases involving the protection and promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms. They represent individuals or groups whose rights have been violated and may work on issues such as discrimination, freedom of speech, or asylum cases. Human Rights Lawyers can work for non-governmental organizations, government agencies, or in private practice, and they often engage in litigation, advocacy, and policy development to uphold human rights standards.

Do human rights lawyers make a lot of money?

Human rights lawyers' salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and employer, with many working for non-profit organizations or government agencies earning lower wages. While some private sector human rights lawyers can earn high salaries, overall compensation tends to be lower compared to other legal specialties. Factors such as advanced degrees, specialized skills, and a strong reputation can influence earning potential in this field.

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, bar admission, and a deep understanding of international human rights law and legal research. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and international legal frameworks is typically required. Excellent advocacy, cross-cultural communication, and resilience are vital soft skills for working with diverse clients and sensitive cases. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively protecting individuals' rights and achieving justice in complex legal environments.

What can you do with a human rights law degree?

A human rights law degree prepares individuals for careers in advocacy, legal research, policy analysis, and litigation related to human rights issues. Graduates often work for non-governmental organizations, international agencies, government bodies, or law firms specializing in human rights law, requiring strong research, communication, and legal skills. Certification or experience in international law or related fields can enhance employment opportunities.

What are some common challenges faced by human rights lawyers in their daily work?

Human rights lawyers often deal with complex cases that can be emotionally and mentally demanding, especially when representing vulnerable populations or confronting systemic injustices. They may encounter resistance from authorities, limited access to resources, and lengthy legal processes that require persistence and resilience. Additionally, balancing advocacy with legal strategy while maintaining client confidentiality and security is a frequent challenge. Collaboration with NGOs, international organizations, and multidisciplinary teams is essential to build strong cases and drive meaningful change.

How can a lawyer make 500,000 a year?

A human rights lawyer can earn $500,000 annually by gaining extensive experience, working for high-profile organizations or firms, specializing in lucrative areas such as international law or corporate compliance, and taking on complex, high-stakes cases. Building a strong reputation, developing specialized skills, and often working long hours or in senior roles contribute to reaching this income level.

What is the difference between Human Rights Lawyer vs Civil Rights Attorney?

AspectHuman Rights LawyerCivil Rights Attorney
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in international or human rights lawLaw degree, bar admission, focus on domestic civil rights law
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, international courts, government agenciesLaw firms, government agencies, advocacy groups
Industry UsageInternational human rights organizations, NGOs, UN bodiesLegal practice focusing on discrimination, voting rights, and equality issues

Human Rights Lawyers primarily focus on international and global issues, often working with NGOs or international bodies. Civil Rights Attorneys concentrate on domestic issues like discrimination and voting rights. Both roles require legal credentials but differ in scope and work environment.

More about Human Rights Lawyer jobs
What cities are hiring for Human Rights Lawyer jobs? Cities with the most Human Rights Lawyer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Human Rights Lawyer jobs? The most popular types of Human Rights Lawyer jobs are:
What states have the most Human Rights Lawyer jobs? States with the most job openings for Human Rights Lawyer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Lawyer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Lawyer jobs are:
Human Rights Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Lawyer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,626 per year, or $48.4 per hour.
Human Rights Accountability Legal Fellow

Human Rights Accountability Legal Fellow

Human Rights First

Washington, DC

Contractor

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Individuals who are responsible for serious human rights abuses and corruption too rarely face consequences for their actions. Human Rights First’s Accountability program works in partnership with civil society groups around the world to employ innovative advocacy tools, including targeted sanctions, to promote accountability. We also advocate for governments to support and protect independent justice institutions, and we work to prevent the misuse of targeted sanctions and similar policy tools to attack such institutions, their personnel, and other people exercising their rights.
The Human Rights Accountability Legal Fellow will support the organization’s work focused on ensuring that the U.S. government respects its human rights obligations and promotes those of other governments. The fellow will report to the Senior Counsel for Accountability and be part of a team of lawyers and policy experts that work across a broad range of issues related to accountability for human rights abuses and corruption. The fellow will contribute to our work promoting and facilitating the effective use of targeted sanctions as part of a global coalition of civil society organizations that we help coordinate. This coalition of more than 340 civil society groups works to shape and inform the use of human rights and anti-corruption sanctions by authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Australia. This position will also be involved in our efforts to protect accountability institutions and human rights activists from attack by the Trump administration and other actors.
The 12-month position begins in September 2026. Please note, applicants must secure funding from a law school, foundation, law firm, or other funding opportunity to support the fellowship. HRF is willing to work with qualifying candidates to secure funding where necessary.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Assist in Human Rights First's efforts to promote and facilitate the credible use of targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and other similar authorities, including working with other civil society groups to identify issues of concern.
  • In coordination with the Accountability team and other NGOs, prepare recommendations identifying Magnitsky-style sanctions targets to governments to quickly respond to developing human rights crises, and identify advocacy opportunities to support the effective use of sanctions.
  • Work with the Accountability team to address time-sensitive issues related to emerging U.S. foreign policy and human rights issues, and conduct fact-finding and research on human rights and rule of law trends in the United States and relevant regions, as assigned.
  • Participate in meetings and other advocacy with executive branch officials and members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill.
  • Research and draft reports, blogs, op-eds, and other materials relating to the use of U.S. and other government sanctions tools and other accountability mechanisms, and the human rights implications of U.S. foreign policy and democratic backsliding.
  • Assist in organizing public events or private convenings related to the use and misuse of targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions.
  • Update and develop resources related to targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions, such as recommendation templates, sanctions explainers, spreadsheets tracking sanctions designations, frequently asked questions, etc.
  • Assist with efforts to analyze, prevent, and respond to the misuse of targeted sanctions powers that undermine accountability institutions and mechanisms like the International Criminal Court.
  • Other duties as requested based on program and organizational need.
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.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
  • A U.S. law degree (J.D.), J.D. equivalent, or Master of Laws (L.L.M) degree in a relevant field from an accredited U.S. law school, or enrollment in a program working toward completion of one of these degrees by August 2026
  • Strong legal and policy research and writing skills, including the ability to monitor and analyze relevant national and international policy and legal developments
  • Demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material for a variety of audiences, ranging from government investigators to congressional staff to readers of mainstream newspapers and specialized blogs
  • Prior experience in human rights or anti-corruption-related law and/or advocacy, with a preferred focus on international human rights law, domestic human rights legislation, and policy
  • Project management experience, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and an ability to coordinate efforts internally with colleagues and with outside partners
  • A strong work ethic, demonstrated capacity to take initiative, and time management skills to handle multiple tasks and projects.
  • A sense of humor and ability to work collegially with other staff members
  • Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including survivors of trauma or family members of political prisoners
  • High level of integrity and discretion in handing sensitive information
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships with civil society, government agencies, Congressional offices, etc.
  • Foreign language skills are preferred, but not required
  • Authorization to work in the United States
Position is based in either Washington, D.C. or New York City.
Salary Range $65,000 to $75,000.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Two writing samples (one legal writing sample and one shorter, policy-oriented sample preferred, ideally related to human rights and/or corruption)
  • List of three professional references (may include academic references although at least one must be from a legal internship, externship, or professional position)

Apply