How to Become a Civil Rights Attorney

Civil rights attorneys represent people who have suffered employment, housing and other forms of discrimination. They represent clients in criminal and civil matters. To work as a civil rights lawyer, you must complete law school and pass a bar examination in the state where you intend to practice. As many civil rights attorneys work for charitable organizations that represent clients pro bono, civil rights lawyers should understand the structure of nonprofit organizations.

Instructions

1. Learn the history of civil rights in the United States and stay current on social issues. During your undergraduate studies, focus your course work on history and social science disciplines that discuss race, gender and social policy. Prospective civil rights lawyers find it beneficial to major in political science, ethnic studies or sociology.

2. Apply to law school. Submit transcripts from your undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation from professors and your employers and take the Law School Admissions Tests, or LSAT. Most law schools require a personal statement outlining your career plans and interest in becoming a civil rights lawyer.

3. Choose the right track in law school. Take courses in constitutional law, immigration and employment law and participate in extracurricular activities such as moot court so you can develop strong public speaking and debate skills.

4. Apply for clerkships with judges or nonprofit organizations dealing with civil rights. After completing one year of law school, civil rights law students should consider securing a judicial clerkship or legal internship with a charitable organization that provides legal services to people who face discrimination.

5. Pass your state's bar examination. Before law school graduates can work as civil rights attorneys, they must take a bar examination and show proof of good moral character.

References

• Civil Rights - Library Search
• Thinking About Law School