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Public Interest Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Public Interest Law Specialist

New York, NY · On-site +1

$1.7K - $2.1K/wk

Collaborate with other public-interest attorneys to design the environment, shape task scope, and review scenarios for realism and rigor. * Work asynchronously with research teams to refine task ...

Baseil Associates Inc.

Be Seen First

Entry-Level Litigation Attorney - Public Interest / Legal Aid

Newark, NJ · On-site

$72K - $79K/yr

A respected nonprofit legal aid organization is seeking newly admitted and early-career attorneys interested in public interest law, courtroom advocacy, and consumer protection matters. This is an ...

Legal Aid of Nebraska

ElderAccessLine Attorney

Omaha, NE · On-site +1

... public interest law, and client advocacy Position Summary The ElderAccessLine Attorney serves as part of the Centralized Intake Unit (CIU), providing legal information, advice, and support to older ...

Legal Aid of Nebraska

ElderAccessLine Attorney

Omaha, NE · On-site

... public interest law, and client advocacy Position Summary The ElderAccessLine Attorney serves as part of the Centralized Intake Unit (CIU), providing legal information, advice, and support to older ...

Legal Aid of Nebraska

ElderAccessLine Attorney

Omaha, NE · On-site +1

... public interest law, and client advocacy Position Summary The ElderAccessLine Attorney serves as part of the Centralized Intake Unit (CIU), providing legal information, advice, and support to older ...

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Public Interest Attorney information

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How much do public interest attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for public interest attorney in the United States is $111,745.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Public Interest Attorney Do?

As a public interest attorney, you work on legal cases or issues that involve underrepresented clients, class-action lawsuits, civil rights cases, or other matters that concern the wellbeing of the public. You can also function as a public defender or work on legal reformation efforts to change unfair laws and practices. You may perform your duties for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or charities. Your responsibilities can vary from case to case and based on the type of services you provide. Some public interest attorneys represent one client at a time, while others focus on the legal aspects of a specific issue, such as immigration.

What is a public interest attorney?

A public interest attorney is a lawyer who works to advance the common good, often representing individuals or groups who are marginalized or unable to afford legal representation. They typically focus on issues such as civil rights, environmental protection, consumer advocacy, or social justice. Public interest attorneys may work for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or legal aid societies, and their work often involves policy advocacy, litigation, and community education. Their primary goal is to promote justice and ensure equal access to the legal system.

What are some common challenges faced by public interest attorneys in balancing caseloads and client needs?

Public interest attorneys often work with underserved communities and manage a high volume of cases simultaneously. Balancing limited resources, tight deadlines, and diverse client needs can be challenging, especially when handling emotionally charged issues such as housing, immigration, or civil rights. Attorneys in this field must develop strong time-management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to advocate effectively under pressure. Collaboration with colleagues and leveraging support from paralegals or volunteers can help manage workloads and provide comprehensive client services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Public Interest Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Interest Attorney, a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a strong understanding of constitutional, civil rights, or administrative law are essential. Proficiency with legal research databases, case management software, and legal writing tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills help build client trust and effectively advance causes. These abilities are crucial for navigating complex legal systems, championing underserved populations, and achieving meaningful legal outcomes.

What is the difference between Public Interest Attorney vs Civil Rights Attorney?

AspectPublic Interest AttorneyCivil Rights Attorney
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, often specialized in public serviceLaw degree, bar admission, specialized in civil rights law
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, government agencies, legal aid societiesLaw firms, government agencies, advocacy groups
Employer & IndustryPublic sector, nonprofit sectorPublic sector, nonprofit, private law firms
Common Search/ComparisonPublic Interest Attorney vs Civil Rights Attorney

Both roles focus on advocating for social justice and protecting individual rights. Public Interest Attorneys often work in nonprofit or government settings to serve underserved communities, while Civil Rights Attorneys typically handle cases related to discrimination and civil liberties, often within law firms or advocacy groups. While their work overlaps, Public Interest Attorneys have a broader focus on public service, whereas Civil Rights Attorneys specialize specifically in civil rights issues.

More about Public Interest Attorney jobs
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What states have the most Public Interest Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Public Interest Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Public Interest Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Public Interest Attorney jobs are:
Public Interest Attorney jobs near you

Associate Director of the Office of Public Interest Counseling

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$141K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 hours ago

Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include a cover letter with application submission.
This is a hybrid role with at least 2x/onsite per week.
Department Summary
The UCLA School of Law Office of Public Interest Counseling (OPIC) seeks an experienced public interest lawyer and/or career counselor with a passion for advancing OPIC's mission to support future public interest advocates. The Office of Public Interest Counseling works closely with the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy (an academic specialization program) and the Judge Rand Schrader Pro Bono Program. Together, these programs support public interest initiatives and nurture a strong public interest community at UCLA Law.
Position Summary
The UCLA School of Law Office of Public Interest Counseling (OPIC) seeks an experienced public interest lawyer and/or career counselor with a passion for advancing OPIC's mission to support future public interest advocates. The Office of Public Interest Counseling works closely with the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy (an academic specialization program) and the Judge Rand Schrader Pro Bono Program. Together, these programs support public interest initiatives and nurture a strong public interest community at UCLA Law.
Under the general direction of the Executive Director of the David J Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy , the Associate Director will lead OPIC, including by providing academic and career counseling to UCLA Law students and alumni interested in pursuing any public interest opportunities. This includes and is not limited to advising students and alumni on course selections, semester-term externships, summer internships, post-graduate fellowships, funding opportunities, extracurricular activities, career fairs, networking opportunities, and more. The Associate Director will help plan and execute a variety of programs, events, and conferences for students and alumni exploring these opportunities, including the Annual Southern California Public Interest/ Sector Career Day, UCLA Law's post-graduate and summer fellowship programs, as well as regular events with guest speakers and/or discussions of topics of importance to future public interest lawyers. The Associate Director will lead and track progress towards meeting OPIC's counseling goals and develop supportive written materials and guides for students. The Associate Director will collaborate with UCLA Law's Office of Career Services and other UCLA Law programs, centers, departments, and specializations to best support students and alumni. The Associate Director will help strengthen and grow UCLA Law's relationships with public interest employers, public interest alumni, and other stakeholders. The Associate Director will collaborate with UCLA Law's public interest programs to broadly support UCLA Law's public interest students, including participating in fundraising for UCLA Law public interest programs, regularly evaluating existing systems and processes, and developing new initiatives as needed in response to changes in the public interest job landscape.
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
  • 5 or more years professional experience as an attorney in public interest practice and/or as a public interest career counselor. (Required)
  • Advanced knowledge of current public interest practice, including diverse forms of public interest practice and public interest practice settings, career paths in public interest practice, and funding sources, especially for new attorneys. (Required)
  • A true passion for advancing the work of the UCLA School of Law's public interest programs broadly and the Office of Public Interest Counseling specifically. (Required)
  • Experience counseling, supervising, and/or mentoring law students working in a public interest capacity. (Required)
  • Excellent writing skills. Superior editing, proofreading skills and attention to detail. Ability to prepare professional handbooks, handouts, articles and newsletters. (Required)
  • Excellent oral communications skills to communicate effectively and diplomatically and present professional workshops, panels, presentations. (Required)
  • Fluency in office technology (i.e., comfortable using basic office machinery; advanced skills in internet research; strong familiarity with videoconferencing platforms; proficiency in Office 365, Adobe Acrobat, Google Drive). Experience with Symplicity. (Required)
  • Advanced ability to initiate activities independently and organize, prioritize and complete work in a timely manner despite deadlines and competing requests. (Required)
  • Highly responsible, sound professional judgment and strong time management skills required; ability to maintain confidentiality and discern priorities. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and implement the logistical requirements of events and programs, including materials, information, and people in a systematic way to optimize efficiency. (Required)
  • Skill in listening perceptively and conveying understanding, establishing rapport, gaining trust, motivating others, and stimulating people to effective action. (Required)
  • Skill in interacting effectively with individuals or groups representing various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds. (Required)

    • Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience/training (Required)
  • Juris Doctor (JD) Degree (Preferred)

    • Special Conditions for Employment
  • Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
  • Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
  • Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team and manage and maintain positive and proactive relationships with students, alumni, employers, law school faculty and staff, donors and community partners both remotely and in person. (Required)
  • Occasional evening/weekend hours and accessibility. (Required)

    • Schedule
    Monday - Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
    Union/Policy Covered
    SV-Stdt Svs & Adv Prof (SSAP)
    Complete Position Description
    https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Student%20Services%20Advisor%204%20SV%20(40064994)

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