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Public Interest Paralegal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Paralegal

Bellevue, NE · On-site

At least three (3) years of experience as a paralegal in a city, county, state office, public interest entity, law firm, or corporate legal department. * Specialized Knowledge: * Experience writing ...

Seton Hall University

Paralegal

Newark, NJ

$31.22/hr

Paralegal Apply now Job no: 497354 Full time/Part time: Full-time Location: Newark Categories ... public interest law firm within Seton Hall Law School. The Detention and Deportation Defense ...

Maryland Legal Aid Inc

Paralegal

Frederick, MD

$53K - $93K/yr

Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire one paralegal in the Midwestern Maryland office, located in Frederick, MD, who is passionate about public interest law and social justice and wants ...

Maryland Legal Aid

Paralegal

Frederick, MD · On-site

$53K - $93K/yr

Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire one paralegal in the Midwestern Maryland office, located in Frederick, MD, who is passionate about public interest law and social justice and wants ...

Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Paralegal

Bellevue, NE · On-site

At least three (3) years of experience as a paralegal in a city, county, state office, public interest entity, law firm, or corporate legal department. * Specialized Knowledge: * Experience writing ...

Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Paralegal

Bellevue, NE · On-site

At least three (3) years of experience as a paralegal in a city, county, state office, public interest entity, law firm, or corporate legal department. * Specialized Knowledge: * Experience writing ...

District of Columbia Bar

Paralegal

Washington, DC · On-site

$62K - $67K/yr

The Paralegal provides legal, administrative, client services, and logistical support to the D.C ... Experience working in bankruptcy, consumer law, legal aid, or another public interest legal setting.

Maryland Legal Aid Inc

Paralegal

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$53K - $93K/yr

Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire one paralegal in the Midwestern Maryland office, located in Frederick, MD, who is passionate about public interest law and social justice and wants ...

Maryland Legal Aid

Paralegal

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$53K - $93K/yr

Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire one paralegal in the Midwestern Maryland office, located in Frederick, MD, who is passionate about public interest law and social justice and wants ...

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Public Interest Paralegal information

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$33K

$59.7K

$89K

How much do public interest paralegal jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for public interest paralegal in the United States is $59,731.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $68,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public interest paralegal?

Public interest paralegals are legal professionals who assist attorneys and organizations in providing legal services to underserved or marginalized communities. They typically work for nonprofit organizations, legal aid societies, or government agencies focused on social justice issues like housing, immigration, or civil rights. Their duties include conducting legal research, preparing documents, interviewing clients, and supporting cases that aim to benefit the public good. Public interest paralegals play a vital role in increasing access to legal representation and promoting fairness in the legal system.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public interest paralegal?

To thrive as a Public Interest Paralegal, you need a strong understanding of legal research, case preparation, and document drafting, typically supported by a paralegal certificate or relevant undergraduate degree. Familiarity with legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as case management software, is commonly required. Excellent communication, organizational skills, and a passion for advocacy help you build rapport with clients and support attorneys in serving underserved populations. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering effective legal assistance and advancing social justice in nonprofit or community-focused legal settings.

What are some common challenges faced by public interest paralegals, and how can they be navigated?

Public interest paralegals often work with limited resources and high caseloads, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. They may also encounter emotionally demanding situations when assisting underserved or vulnerable clients. To navigate these challenges, paralegals benefit from strong organizational skills, support from a collaborative legal team, and consistent self-care practices. Open communication with supervising attorneys and participating in professional development opportunities can also help manage workload and maintain job satisfaction.

What is the difference between Public Interest Paralegal vs Corporate Paralegal?

AspectPublic Interest ParalegalCorporate Paralegal
CredentialsAssociate's degree or paralegal certificateAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, government agenciesCorporate legal departments, law firms
Employer & IndustryPublic sector, advocacy groupsPrivate corporations, business sector
Common Search/ComparisonPublic Interest Paralegal vs Corporate Paralegal

The main difference between a Public Interest Paralegal and a Corporate Paralegal lies in their work environment and employer focus. Public Interest Paralegals typically work for nonprofits, government agencies, or advocacy groups, focusing on social justice and public policy issues. In contrast, Corporate Paralegals are employed by private corporations or law firms, supporting business operations and corporate legal matters. Both roles require similar credentials but serve different sectors and client bases.

More about Public Interest Paralegal jobs

What cities are hiring for Public Interest Paralegal jobs?

Cities with the most Public Interest Paralegal job openings:

What states have the most Public Interest Paralegal jobs?

States with the most job openings for Public Interest Paralegal jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Public Interest Paralegal jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Interest Paralegal jobs are:

Public Interest Paralegal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Interest Paralegal job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,731 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Litigation Paralegal, Public Interest Law Firm-Washington, DC/Hybrid

Tycko and Zavareei LLP

Washington, DC • On-site

$27 - $33/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Tycko & Zavareei LLP is a nationally recognized plaintiffs' civil litigation firm seeking a Litigation Paralegal to join its Washington, DC office beginning September 2026
This is a full-time, hybrid role for someone who thrives in a demanding, high-accountability environment and is eager to play a meaningful role in complex, high-impact litigation nationwide. The ideal candidate is organized, intellectually curious, resourceful, and exceptionally reliable under pressure -- someone who takes ownership of their work, communicates proactively, and can manage competing priorities with precision and good judgment.
Because the role involves intensive in-person onboarding and training, this opportunity is available to applicants already based in the DC Metro Area who will be prepared to fully engage in the onboarding process beginning in June. Candidates should expect a fast-moving training ramp and should be prepared to prioritize getting up to speed quickly during their first several months with the firm.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
About the Firm
We are a 30-person mission-driven plaintiffs' litigation firm with offices in Washington, DC and California. Our attorneys represent consumers, whistleblowers, employees, and others seeking accountability from powerful institutions and corporations in complex litigation across the country.
Our work is ambitious, fast-moving, and often high-profile. We pride ourselves on producing excellent legal work while maintaining a collegial, respectful, and deeply collaborative culture. People here work very hard, care about the quality of their work, and rely heavily on one another.
About the Role
Our paralegals are central members of our litigation teams. Every paralegal works directly with attorneys across all stages of litigation, from case development through resolution, and is trusted with significant responsibility from the outset. This role is best suited for someone who:
  • enjoys being busy,
  • thrives in small, fast-paced environments,
  • is comfortable juggling multiple urgent matters simultaneously,
  • can adapt quickly when priorities shift,
  • and takes initiative to ask questions, communicate progress, and identify solutions.

Litigation at a small plaintiffs' firm is highly deadline-driven. The pace is fast and workload high, with priorities naturally tethered to court schedules, filings, discovery, and case developments. Successful paralegals here are highly organized, responsive, and meticulous with details, particularly where deadlines and case management responsibilities are concerned. They are comfortable operating with a high degree of ownership and understand that accuracy, follow-through, and responsiveness are critical to effective litigation support.
The people who tend to excel in this role are those who arrive prepared to immerse themselves in the work, ask thoughtful questions, hustle hard, and steadily build the judgment and self-sufficiency needed to support complex litigation matters in a small-team environment.
Position Details:
  • Position: Litigation Paralegal (full-time, non-exempt)
  • Start Date: September 2026
  • Location: Washington, DC (hybrid schedule; 2+ in-office days/week)
  • Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:30/6:00pm ET, with occasional evening/weekend work as deadlines require

Responsibilities vary by case and team needs, but typically include:
  • Managing and organizing case files, internal records, deadlines, and litigation calendars
  • Preparing, proofreading, cite-checking, and electronically filing pleadings and briefs in state and federal courts
  • Supporting attorneys with all phases of written discovery, document review, and deposition preparation
  • Drafting correspondence, basic filings, exhibits, tables, and other litigation materials
  • Coordinating with clients, co-counsel, vendors, court personnel, and opposing counsel
  • Conducting factual and procedural research using PACER, Westlaw, court dockets, and public records
  • Assisting with hearing logistics
  • Tracking deadlines and proactively helping attorneys keep matters moving
  • Supporting intake efforts and communicating with prospective and existing clients
  • Handling time-sensitive assignments across multiple active matters simultaneously
  • Assisting with special projects and firm operational needs as they arise
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree awarded by 2025
  • At least one year of experience in a law firm or other professional services environment
  • Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines simultaneously
  • Strong professional judgment, discretion, and reliability
  • Comfort operating in a highly collaborative but self-directed workplace
  • High proficiency in Microsoft 365 and Adobe Acrobat
  • Experienced in managing high-volume email and Teams correspondence
  • Expert in remote collaboration, leveraging virtual channels to coordinate projects across multiple locations
  • Ability to begin in-person onboarding in June 2026 and work in-office regularly thereafter
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior experience working in a small law firm or other lean, fast-paced professional environment
  • Demonstrated interest in litigation, public-interest advocacy, or plaintiff-side practice
  • Familiarity with federal and state court filing procedures
  • Experience with PACER, e-filing systems, Westlaw, case management platforms, and legal billing
  • Bluebooking or cite-checking experience
  • Experience supporting multiple attorneys simultaneously in a fast-paced setting
  • Experience communicating directly with clients, courts, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and vendors

Compensation & Benefits
  • $27-$33/hour, depending on relevant experience, plus overtime and eligibility for performance-based bonuses
  • Benefits include:
    • Paid time off
    • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
    • Health savings account (HSA) options
    • 401(k) with employer contribution (after 12 months)
    • Commuter benefits
    • Employee assistance program
    • Onsite fitness center
  • Professional Development: This role is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking substantial exposure to complex litigation before pursuing long-term legal or public-interest careers. Our former paralegals have gone on to leading law schools and careers in litigation, government, advocacy, and public service.

To Apply
Complete the application's brief questionnaire and upload the following materials in PDF format:
  1. Resume
  2. Cover letter
  3. Final undergraduate transcript
  4. Writing sample
  5. Professional reference list
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews will be conducted virtually.
Tycko & Zavareei LLP is committed to building an inclusive and collaborative workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Apply