Human rights are the fundamental rights of any person. As the name suggests, Human Rights Lawyers fight for their clients’ human rights in the courts, in governmental law hearings, in tribunals, and during labor complaint procedures as per the legal processes.
Since the legal procedures to defend one’s human rights are complicated, human rights lawyers are required to assist and help their clients. If you face any external complications related to your gender, caste, religion, race, ethnicity, these are your go-to lawyers.
Human Rights Lawyers work to provide you with legal aid and counsel, and in other terms, they are also known as Civil Rights Lawyers. They usually fight for women, children, refugees, LGBT rights, minority communities, etc.
What is the Role of a Human Rights Lawyer?
In most cases, the following assistance is provided by Human rights lawyers to their clients:
- Counseling them about their cases
- Helping them respond to any legal summons
- Acting or corresponding on clients’ behalf with the opposing party or the courts
- Drafting legal documents for the clients
- Negotiating settlements for them in court
How can you Become a Human Rights Lawyer in the US?
Ideally, you have to follow the traditional path to become a lawyer of any kind, be it the USA or any other location. But to be specific, the following steps should be taken if you want to pursue this line of career:
1. Get your Bachelor’s Degree
After you are finished with high school, you will need to get your bachelor’s degree because law schools in the USA will require the same before allowing entrance for gaining law degrees.
Aspirants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and courses of study, including pre-law, political science, history and many others. Completing the full 4+ bachelor’s degree is a must, and if you can gain that from a reputable institution, there are better chances of your being admitted to a good law School.
2. Take the LSAT
The next step is to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
This test consists happen in two installments:
- Reading comprehension plus logic and reasoning in multiple questions format
- Essay writing that is to be sent to the law schools for actual scoring.
- It’s advised to take these tests while you are nearing graduation, which should help you manage both the schedules better.
3. Apply to Law School
Start applying to the law schools of your choice, once you have done ample research on them. Determining your eligibility and test scores for your law schools of choice is important.
4. Go to Law School and Get your JD
Once you get into law school, you have to complete your graduate degree, i.e., Juris Doctor or JD, which is generally a three-year-long degree and involves specialized training, extracurricular activities, and joining legal clinics, volunteering, and law competitions.
Each year of law school brings new activities and practical experiences for the students, and they also get to act as moot lawyers for mock trials and prove their mettle. The last year is a decisive one, with lots of research work with the students getting ready for the next law practice levels.
You can also apply for paid internships at reputed firms that will help you gain actual knowledge of practicing law.
5. Pass the Bar Exam
After graduating with your Law degree, you don’t become a lawyer just yet. At that point you will need to pass your state’s Bar exam.
Finally, when you become a member of the American Bar Association, you will be ready to start your career as a human rights lawyer!
Related Q&A
How much Can I earn as a Human Rights Lawyer?
The average salary in the USA for an entry-level Human Rights Lawyer is $45, 000 per year, while experienced lawyers earn up to $200,000 per year. Lawyers working for government agencies can earn up to $130,210.
What skills do Human Rights Lawyers need?
Human Rights Lawyers are required to show excellent analytical and critical thinking. They must be able to communicate and argue fluently, meaningfully, and precisely to win their case.
First-rate knowledge of local, national, and international case studies along with the regional law codes is a must.
What all areas do Human Rights Lawyer cover?
These lawyers help their clients on cases involving issues of race, gender, intersex, disability, LGBT rights, language, and culture, among other rights of freedom for religion, expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Conclusion
Human Rights Lawyers can represent their clients nationally and internationally, ensuring the unjust laws and acts are challenged, and justice prevails. There have been several cases throughout history, showcasing the benefits of human rights lawyers.
Though it’s not an easy path, fighting for human rights, under ever-increasing corruption and immoral human practices is a noble path. Human rights lawyers will always be in demand. They create a significant positive impact on society by providing their services and addressing humanitarian issues.