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Public Interest Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pennsylvania State University

$91K - $154K/yr

POSITION SPECIFICS Penn State Dickinson Law is seeking a staff attorney to lead its public interest and pro bono activities. This position requires an active license to practice law in Pennsylvania.

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

1598 Staff Attorney

Dallas, TX · On-site

$73K - $110K/yr

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high ... Staff Attorneys core responsibilities include: * Provide high-quality legal representation to low ...

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

Staff Attorney

San Angelo, TX · On-site

$73K - $110K/yr

Staff Attorney - (Full-Time) Hybrid CLOSING DATE: Position Immediately Available and Closed When ... Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides high ...

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Public Interest Attorney information

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$53K

$111.7K

$171K

How much do public interest attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 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
What cities are hiring for Public Interest Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Public Interest Attorney job openings:
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
Infographic showing various Public Interest Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,745 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Public Interest Fellowship

Touro University

Central Islip, NY

$19/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 29 days ago

Touro University rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

565th of 614 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Overview

The purpose of the Public Interest Law Fellowship Program is to encourage students to consider public interest legal employment. The program is designed to offer Fellowships, covering a ten week period (35 hours per week maximum) during the summer, to qualified students with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and who have been accepted for unpaid service during the summer. Through their service, students will learn about the many and varied need for lawyers to engage in public service and will learn valuable skills needed for the practice of law. The Fellowship can be used to allow you to volunteer in any organization that qualifies under the following definition:

Responsibilities
  • Poverty law includes legal services in civil and criminal matters of importance to a client who does not have the financial resources to compensate private counsel.
  • Civil rights law includes legal representation involving a right of an individual which society has a special interest in protecting.
  • Public rights law includes legal representation involving an important right belonging to a significant segment of the public.
  • Charitable organization representation includes legal service to charitable, religious, civic, governmental and educational institutions in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of customary legal fees would be otherwise inappropriate or impossible.
  • Government Agencies: These definitions include legal work affecting broad areas of public concern including the prosecution of crimes, the legal rights of consumers, the elderly, minorities, the poor, and groups whose legal rights are not otherwise adequately represented and who traditionally lack access to the courts.
Qualifications

N/A

Maximum SalaryUSD $19.00/Hr.Minimum SalaryUSD $19.00/Hr.Employment Type: CONTRACTOR

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