Education Requirements
Becoming a civil rights attorney begins with a four year degree followed by a three year education in law school. During law school, the lawyer will make the decision and take the courses needed to specialize in constitutional law. After graduating from law school, the lawyer has to pass the bar exam before practicing law. Every state has differing requirements for passing the bar exam, so be sure to check for your state's requirements. Many prestigious law firms are tough to get into because of the competition for admission that exists, so education is very critical. Some law students find it hard enough to get into a prestigious law school in this day and age, which should speak to the amount of competition that exists within the industry.
Job Duties
Depending upon the specialization of the civil rights attorney, there are different duties that are required. Many of the specializations involve special interest groups. These include religious rights, disability rights, human rights, women's rights and other groups. Civil rights attorneys fight to ensure that individuals in this area are being treated equally across the world. Other lawyers will focus on just one bill or amendment, such as the privacy act, freedom of expression, libel and first amendment, the eleventh amendment, election/voting rights, FOIA and so on. The civil rights attorney is someone whom is ensuring that individuals are treated equal, no matter what.
The civil rights attorney will be spending a significant amount of time in the courtroom, following procedures, making motions and following a procedure of debate, as well as presenting ones case with evidence and the conclusions which follow. There are many additional aspects to the job, which include doing research, interviewing individuals for information, trail preparations, and so on. The civil rights lawyer must be prepared for these and more in the pursuit of his or her career.
Salary
In 2006, the median salary for a lawyer in 2006 was $102,470 with the bulk of salaries in this range between $69,000 and $145,000. Depending upon the specialty or level of experience, the median annual earnings differs from case to case. Fresh out of college, in nine months an average lawyer will earn a median annual salary of $60,000, though some may earn upwards of $85,000. More experienced lawyers will earn significantly more money in the long run, although the salaries vary as much as the employment locations and specialties. What is important to know is that civil rights attorneys can take numerous different jobs in the industry, and each will come with its own unique salary requirements and other benefits accordingly.
Job Opportunities and Outlook
In 2006, there were more than 761,000 lawyers employed in the practice of law all throughout the country. Of those, 27%, including numerous civil rights attorneys, were self-employed and acted either as a partner in a law firm or by flying solo in their own practice. There is quite a large number of government and public service positions that are held by lawyers of this type, but along the same lines, civil rights attorneys can constantly see a wide variety of different job positions to fill that would utilize their skills and specialties.
There is an annual, average employment numbers growth that is certain every year, but the positions are not without competition. With the number of graduates of law school increasing along side the number of jobs, there is no real shortage of positions for a civil rights attorney. One can hope for a time when there will no longer be a need for civil rights attorneys, but until the time when we are all treated equally, there will be much work for the civil rights attorney.
In the case when there is not an immediate opening in the civil rights field of law, there are many other specialties that one can enter until enough experience is accumulated to more easily enter one's desired specialty. Law students just out of school can go into general practice while looking for a job that matches with their specialty and they will have no problems transferring into a specialty civil rights attorney job later on.
Conclusion
The civil rights attorney is a person who fights for an ideal or the rights of citizens of our country. Working solo or as part of a law firm, the civil rights attorney is one of a myriad of specialties within the law field. There is a large amount of competition for job positions, but the field is worthwhile to enter into because it allows for attorneys to fight for the rights of their clients, regardless of whether they are women's rights, voter's rights, animal rights, first amendment rights or any of the other rights that we hold as citizens of this country.
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published December 20, 2008
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
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- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
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He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
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If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
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This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
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For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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