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Public Law Center Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$47K - $87K/yr

Requirements Job Overview The Senior Communications Associate, Centers and Institutes, Law Center ... Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field * 5+ years of ...

About the Organization The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization ... public; and provide reports to and support development initiatives. Essential Duties ...

Staff Attorney, Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY ยท On-site

$86K - $140K/yr

About the Organization The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization ... Demonstrated commitment to public interest and policy * Preference for knowledge of family court ...

Staff Attorney

Brooklyn, NY ยท On-site

$86K - $140K/yr

About the Organization The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization ... Demonstrated commitment to public interest and policy * Preference for knowledge of family court ...

Staff Attorney

New York, NY ยท On-site

$86K - $140K/yr

About the Organization The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization ... Demonstrated commitment to public interest and policy * Preference for knowledge of family court ...

Staff Attorney, Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY ยท On-site

$86K - $140K/yr

About the Organization The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization ... Demonstrated commitment to public interest and policy * Preference for knowledge of family court ...

Law Center Staff Attorney

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$70K - $112K/yr

... public outreach and education. Our vision is that all Texans live free from abuse. TAP Core Values ... Collaborate with law enforcement, arraignment judges, and victims to explain post-arrest legal ...

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Showing results 1-20

Public Law Center information

See salary details

$22K

$84.6K

$159.5K

How much do public law center jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for public law center in the United States is $84,571.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at a Public Law Center, and why are they important?

To thrive at a public law center, you typically need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong knowledge of public interest law and legal research. Familiarity with legal case management systems, Westlaw/LexisNexis, and specialized training in areas like immigration or housing law are often required. Outstanding written and verbal communication, cultural competence, and a commitment to social justice help professionals excel in serving diverse client populations. These skills ensure effective advocacy, high-quality legal representation, and meaningful impact for underserved communities.

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

AspectPublic Law CenterPublic Defender
Primary RoleProvides legal services and advocacy for underserved communities and non-profit organizationsDefends individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford private attorneys
Work EnvironmentLegal clinics, community outreach, nonprofit settingsCourts, criminal defense offices, legal aid clinics
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, often specialized in public interest lawLaw degree, bar admission, specialization in criminal law

The Public Law Center focuses on providing legal aid and advocacy for community and nonprofit organizations, while Public Defenders primarily defend individuals facing criminal charges. Both roles require a law degree and bar admission, but their work environments and client focus differ significantly.

What is the Public Law Center?

The Public Law Center (PLC) is a nonprofit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The PLC covers a range of issues, including housing, immigration, family law, and consumer rights. By offering pro bono legal representation, education, and advocacy, the PLC helps to ensure access to justice and improve the lives of vulnerable community members.

What types of cases and clients does a legal professional at a Public Law Center typically work with?

Legal professionals at a Public Law Center often work with individuals and communities who are underserved or face significant barriers to legal representation. Typical cases may involve housing rights, consumer protection, immigration, domestic violence, and access to public benefits. The work environment is highly collaborative, with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff working together to provide holistic legal services. This role allows for meaningful client interaction and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on social justice issues.
More about Public Law Center jobs
What cities are hiring for Public Law Center jobs? Cities with the most Public Law Center job openings:
What states have the most Public Law Center jobs? States with the most job openings for Public Law Center jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Public Law Center jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Public Law Center jobs are:
Infographic showing various Public Law Center job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,571 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

Staff Attorney - Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit (Hybrid - Must Reside in Southern Californ

Public Law Center

Santa Ana, CA โ€ข On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Public Law Center
Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.
About the role
The Public Law Center (PLC)'s Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit seeks an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for low- income tenants and self-represented litigants in Orange County through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering to address inequities and pursue access to affordable housing.
PLC's Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit provides high quality direct representation, in addition to coordinating and supervising pro bono representation, of tenants in cases involving unlawful detainer, discrimination, harassment, housing voucher disputes, affordable housing advocacy and other issues related to housing.
The Unit also participates in community education, community-based clinics, and local and statewide advocacy.
What you'll do
  • Handle a diverse caseload on behalf of low-income tenants, including eviction defense, discrimination, habitability, subsidized housing cases, and other issues arising in landlord/tenant relationships
  • Coordinate referrals to other PLC units to provide comprehensive legal services
  • Investigate clients' cases, including inspection of housing units and obtaining and reviewing documents and records from government agencies
  • Represent PLC at networking and community outreach events
  • Full time position with occasional evening and weekend work required
  • This position requires attendance at meetings, both remote and in person, in and outside the Public Law Center's offices, and requires being located in Southern California. Must have ability to work at the organization's offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites located throughout Orange County, CA. In addition, travel to Los Angeles County and other neighboring counties may be required
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • Active membership in the California State Bar or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program preferred
  • If no bar membership, JD and planning to take the July 2026 California Bar required
  • Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese preferred
  • Eviction defense and/or housing law experience preferred
  • Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income communities
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, and work independently and as part of a team
  • Must have reliable transportation

Salary & Benefits
  • Compensation dependent on experience; range of $70,000 - $95,000 (salary scale is calculated according to years of attorney licensure).
  • Competitive benefits provided, and for this position include:
    • Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
    • Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
    • 15 paid holidays per year
    • Approximately 1 paid week off during office winter closure (between Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
    • 21 paid sick/wellness days per year to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
    • 15 paid vacation days per year
    • Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
    • 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
    • Monthly $55 stipend for Wi-Fi and cell phone use
    • Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon successful completion of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
    • Optional monthly peer support group facilitated by third party mental health clinic
    • Opportunities for growth and advancement

Public Law Center is dedicated to building a diverse team and fostering a fair and welcoming work environment. To view our complete DEI statement, please click here.
Public Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact Public Law Center.
PLC will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
PLC regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position.