If you’re interested in helping people live better, more secure lives, becoming a human rights lawyer may be the perfect job for you. As a human rights lawyer you’ll be involved in a range of legal activities, including fighting discrimination and defending individual freedoms.
The types of cases you’ll work on will vary according to your interests and skills, but you’ll likely take on clients who have suffered human rights violations or have been discriminated against because of their race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, age or other reason. These cases can be challenging and emotional, but they’re also extremely important for the people you represent.
Becoming a human rights lawyer requires a law degree and admission to the bar, as well as a passion for social justice. While the path to a career in human rights law isn’t necessarily straightforward, it can be rewarding in the long run.
Get the Right Education:
The best way to prepare for a career in human rights law is to enroll in a law school that focuses on civil and human rights. This will help you develop your understanding of human rights law and its history, as well as provide you with an appreciation for the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals.
Learn to Research:
Often, you’ll need to reference past decisions and other issues that pertain to your client on a regular basis, so it’s important to be able to research well. You’ll also need to be able to write effectively and persuasively.
Find a mentor:
If you’re looking to become a human rights lawyer, it’s essential that you have a strong network of contacts. The best way to do this is by getting involved with a law clinic, or applying for a paid internship. Recommended this site Washington DC accident lawyer .
Join a Legal Clinic:
If there’s a specific human rights case you’d like to work on, it’s worth checking out whether a law clinic offers that type of work. These programs are typically run by clinical professors and provide pro-bono services to clients. You’ll be able to meet with clients, do research, and draft legal arguments on their behalf.
Volunteer:
The work of a human rights lawyer is important to the world’s communities, and you can play a vital role in improving their conditions. You can help to protect vulnerable people by bringing cases against government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that violate human rights laws.
Have the Right Orientation:
The job of a human rights lawyer requires empathy and patience. This is especially true when dealing with sensitive and emotionally charged cases.
Have the Right Sense:
The work you do as a human rights lawyer involves coming face-to-face with some of the most egregious abuses of human dignity and justice. This can be demanding, emotionally taxing and incredibly rewarding.
Keep the Right Focus:
The most rewarding part of a career in human rights law is the feeling of being able to help people who are suffering or who have been wronged. This is why it’s so important to have a clear motivation when choosing a career in human rights law.