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Public Interest Law Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Public Interest Law Expert

New York, NY · On-site +1

$90 - $100/hr

Public Interest Law (Civil Law / Environmental Law) Type: Contract Compensation: $90-$100/hour Location: Remote Role Responsibilities * Construct scenarios spanning civil rights litigation ...

Posted today

The Pennsylvania State University

$91K - $154K/yr

This will include developing and leading the law school's public interest and pro bono programming. The attorney will supervise students who are engaged in providing pro bono legal services to ...

Mercer University

$1.0K/wk

Dean's Office, School of Law Supervisor: Taylor Fite Job Title: Public Interest Stipend The Mercer University School of Law Public Service Summer Stipend is designed to support law students who ...

Mercer University

Public Interest Stipend

Macon, GA · On-site

$1.0K/wk

Dean's Office, School of Law Supervisor: Taylor Fite Job Title: Public Interest Stipend The Mercer University School of Law Public Service Summer Stipend is designed to support law students who ...

Mercer University

$1.0K/wk

Dean's Office, School of Law Supervisor: Taylor Fite Job Title: Public Interest Stipend The Mercer University School of Law Public Service Summer Stipend is designed to support law students who ...

Mercer University

Public Interest Stipend

Macon, GA · On-site

$1.0K/wk

Dean's Office, School of Law Supervisor: Taylor Fite Job Title: Public Interest Stipend The Mercer University School of Law Public Service Summer Stipend is designed to support law students who ...

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Public Interest Law information

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$21K

$55.4K

$90K

How much do public interest law jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for public interest law in the United States is $55,419.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is public interest law?

Public interest law is a legal practice focused on helping individuals, groups, or causes that might not have access to legal representation otherwise. Lawyers in this field often work on cases involving civil rights, social justice, environmental protection, and access to justice for underserved communities. They may be employed by nonprofits, government agencies, or legal aid organizations. The goal of public interest law is to promote the public good and ensure equal justice under the law. This field can be both challenging and rewarding, as it often involves advocating for systemic change.

What are some common challenges faced by attorneys working in public interest law, and how can they effectively manage them?

Attorneys in public interest law often encounter challenges such as heavy caseloads, limited resources, and emotionally demanding work due to the vulnerable populations they serve. To effectively manage these challenges, it's important to develop strong time management skills, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and leveraging pro bono partnerships can also help share the workload and provide more comprehensive support to clients. Many organizations offer professional development and mental health resources to support public interest lawyers in their roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public interest lawyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Interest Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a strong understanding of civil rights, constitutional law, and advocacy strategies. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and relevant certifications like public interest fellowships are often essential. Outstanding communication, empathy, and resilience help in building trust with underserved clients and managing emotionally charged cases. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively advocate for social justice, protect vulnerable populations, and drive systemic change.

Is it hard to get into public interest law?

Public interest law can be competitive, as many positions are limited and often require a strong academic record, relevant internships, and a commitment to social causes. Success often depends on networking, specialized skills, and demonstrating a genuine passion for advocacy work.

What is the difference between Public Interest Law vs Public Defender?

AspectPublic Interest LawPublic Defender
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, specialized knowledge in social justice or policyLaw degree, bar admission, focus on criminal defense
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, government agenciesCourts, public defender offices, criminal justice settings
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, advocacy groupsGovernment, criminal justice system

Public Interest Law and Public Defender roles both require legal credentials and involve working within the legal system. However, Public Interest Law focuses on advocating for social justice issues through nonprofits and policy work, while Public Defenders primarily defend individuals accused of crimes within the criminal justice system. Both careers serve the public good but differ in their specific focus and work environment.

What are public interest law jobs?

Public interest law jobs involve legal work that aims to serve the public good, often focusing on issues like civil rights, environmental protection, or consumer rights. These roles can be found in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or advocacy groups and typically require a law degree and strong research and advocacy skills.
More about Public Interest Law jobs
What cities are hiring for Public Interest Law jobs? Cities with the most Public Interest Law job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Public Interest Law jobs? The most popular types of Public Interest Law jobs are:
What states have the most Public Interest Law jobs? States with the most job openings for Public Interest Law jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Public Interest Law jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Public Interest Law jobs are:
Public Interest Law jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Interest Law job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,419 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Public Interest Law Expert

Mercor

New York, NY • On-site, Remote

$90 - $100/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 hours ago

Posted today

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Public Interest Law (Civil Law / Environmental Law)
Type: Contract
Compensation: $90–$100/hour
Location: Remote

Role Responsibilities

  • Construct scenarios spanning civil rights litigation, environmental compliance and enforcement, and community advocacy or policy reform processes.
  • Build tasks across civil rights and constitutional law, environmental law and regulation, housing and consumer protection, immigration and asylum, and government accountability.
  • Develop scenarios involving tools such as legal research platforms, case management systems used by legal aid organizations and nonprofits, and regulatory filing systems (e.g., EPA dockets).
  • Apply public interest law methodologies (constitutional analysis, regulatory compliance review, impact litigation strategy) to the standards track a world targets (US: federal civil rights statutes, NEPA, environmental statutes; International: human rights treaties, EU directives), and produce reference legal briefs, regulatory comments, and advocacy memoranda.
  • Author rubrics that distinguish authentic public interest legal judgment from generic law school or bar exam-level recall.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • 5+ years working as a public interest attorney at a legal aid organization, advocacy nonprofit, or government agency (ACLU, Earthjustice, NRDC, Legal Aid Society, or a state attorney general's office).
  • Direct ownership of impact litigation, regulatory advocacy, or policy reform initiatives.
  • Fluency in public interest legal tooling, plus understanding of how regulatory processes and legislative advocacy actually work.
  • A recognized professional credential is strongly preferred (JD with bar admission, or an international equivalent); prior rubric, training, or policy authorship is a plus.

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.