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Human Rights Lawyer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Staff Attorney

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$78K/yr

... human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA organizes and serves individuals ... The Staff Attorney will provide consultations to potential new clients on a regular basis, in ...

... human rights is central to corporate decision-making. OVERVIEW As You Sow is a Berkeley-based ... The Senior Staff Attorney will be responsible for a range of activities that include responding ...

Senior Staff Attorney

El Cerrito, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

... human rights is central to corporate decision-making. OVERVIEW As You Sow is a Berkeley-based ... The Senior Staff Attorney will be responsible for a range of activities that include responding ...

Showing results 21-40

Human Rights Lawyer information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$99.3K

$136.2K

How much do human rights lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for human rights lawyer in California is $99,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a human rights lawyer?

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 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.

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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California? The most popular types of Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California? For Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Lawyer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Human Rights Lawyer jobs? Cities in California with the most Human Rights Lawyer job openings:
Infographic showing various Human Rights Lawyer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,309 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Supervising Attorney (Assistant City Attorney)

Los Angeles City Attorney's Office (CA)

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$214K - $313K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Us The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City of Los Angeles ("City") with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California. Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide.

We seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact. Description Attorneys in the Community Investment and Equity Division serve as general counsel to various City departments, including the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, the Department on Disability, and the Community Investment Department. In addition, the Division advises the City Council's Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee, which said departments report to, and numerous Brown Act and other bodies, including the Commission on Civil Rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Human Relations Commission, the Domestic Violence Alliance, and the Workforce Development Board.

As they provide general counsel services, Division attorneys also develop expertise responsive to each client's unique mission to serve some of the City's most vulnerable communities and address policy issues of citywide concern. The Division, which includes the Office's Equity Officer, works closely with its assigned City departments, various other departments, and colleagues throughout the Office, including the Equity Panel, to help ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws and promote equity and inclusion for all. Duties and Responsibilities The supervising attorney of the Community Investment and Equity Division will manage approximately eight to ten personnel (attorneys and support staff) in handling the work of the division.

The supervising attorney ensures that high-quality legal work is provided consistently to our clients and that the division works in a coordinated, efficient and helpful manner to City clients and other lawyers in the Office. The supervising attorney will provide written and oral advice on relevant legal issues and may also be required to appear on behalf of the Office before the City Council and its Committees, as well as other City Brown Act bodies and community stakeholder groups. The supervising attorney will be responsible for organizing and directing the daily operations of the division, including making staffing assignments, approval of timesheets, case/matter assignments.

This shall include participating in the daily oversight, supervision, training and mentoring of attorneys, assisting attorneys in carrying out their assignments, and participating in personnel matters for both attorneys and support staff, including disciplinary matters, evaluations, and performance reviews, and other duties as assigned. Requirements Applicants for this position must have a license to practice law in all of the courts in the State of California. Additional requirements include: Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law; Experience in one or more of the Division's subject matter areas; Familiarity with the requirements of the Brown Act, California Public Records Act, contracting laws and contracting best practices; Demonstrated ability to problem solve; Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with colleagues and public officials; Excellent research and writing skills in complex areas of the law; Ability to work efficiently and make decisions practically and independently; Experience providing legal advice to public agencies and/or regulatory agencies, and public officials; Strong oral communication skills; and Strong analytical and reasoning abilities.

Desired Qualifications Knowledge and experience in the area of local, state and/or federal anti-discrimination laws; Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Knowledge of federal grant programs and public grantmaking; Experience in drafting local ordinances; Admission to the United States District Court for the Central District; Civil litigation experience; and Desire to work with a relatively new, fast-paced, and innovative public-facing division. Requirements for Application Cover Letter Resume Candidates are required to submit two writing samples, which may include a recent brief, report, or legal research memo. Supplemental Information Current Location City Hall East, 200 N.

Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney. Work Location and Parking This position requires regular onsite work.

Employer-provided parking is limited and may not be available for this classification. Employees may be responsible for securing and paying for parking at nearby facilities. Applicants are encouraged to review available commute and transportation resources through the City's COMMUTEwell program.

For more information, please visit: https://lacommutewell.com. Probation Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a two-year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two-year probationary period will result in tenure with the office

Classification Current employees selected for this assignment will be placed through a lateral transfer and retain their current classification, unless otherwise determined by the City Attorney in the exercise of the appointing authority. Retirement Benefits Employees participate in the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS), which includes mandatory employee pension contributions through payroll deduction. The City also contributes toward the employee's retirement benefit.

Contribution rates are established by the applicable retirement system and may vary based on employee classification, membership status, and other factors. For more information, please visit: https://www.lacers.org. Application and Deadline Interested candidates should go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacityattorney/ to apply online

Conflict of Interest This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict of Interest Code. Contact Questions. Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org

AS A COVERED ENTITY UNDER TITLE Il OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY AND, UPON REQUEST, WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. TO REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION AT (213) 978-7160.