Human rights lawyers defend and protect the fundamental freedoms that we enjoy as human beings. They work on a wide range of issues, including discrimination, freedom of speech, family law, criminal justice procedures, and immigration matters.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in human rights law, the first step is to find a law school that offers a program or degree concentration that allows you to specialize in this field. You should also check out the faculty at the schools you’re considering and see if they have a reputation for working on human rights law cases or publishing research.
To become a human rights lawyer, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort required to study for and complete your law degree. This can be challenging, especially if you have to balance other aspects of your life, such as family and social commitments. But there are many options for how to get the education you need to pursue this important career, and you should explore them carefully before making a final decision.
The most common way to obtain a law degree is through an accredited university. Look for a law school that offers a major or concentration that prepares you to study the laws of human rights and other related topics, such as international relations, political science, sociology, and history.
During your undergraduate studies, you can gain additional skills that will be useful for becoming a human rights lawyer by studying abroad and joining student organizations that focus on humanitarian issues. This will give you valuable experience in a field that’s critical for the future success of your legal career, as well as help you meet new people who can be invaluable resources as you seek employment after college.
Once you’re enrolled in a law school, it’s important to take advantage of all the extracurricular activities and student organizations that your school offers. These can include clubs and groups that focus on helping the community and volunteering with a nonprofit organization. Recommended this site workers compensation lawyers .
You can also look for opportunities to intern at a law firm or shadow an experienced human rights attorney. These experiences are essential for getting your foot in the door and establishing connections with human rights professionals that you can leverage in the future.
Your next step is to decide how to finance your law school and career. Because human rights attorneys don’t often earn large salaries, it’s important to research the costs of law schools and whether they offer scholarships or loan forgiveness programs that are specifically designated for human rights students.
It’s also a good idea to find out whether the school you’re considering offers pro bono internships and/or student-run clinics for those who need free legal help. These kinds of programs are important to human rights advocates because they allow victims of human rights violations to receive legal assistance without having to pay for it.
Finally, it’s a good idea to volunteer or work as an intern in a law office or shadow an experienced human rights lawyer during your first year of law school.
This will provide you with a glimpse into the types of clients and issues that will be part of your career, and it will help you learn about the ways in which human rights organizations can best support their clients’ needs.