How to become a Civil Rights Lawyer

Have you ever wondered or thought about becoming a civil rights lawyer? If so, you are in the right place. If you do want to become a civil right lawyer, first of all thank you. Becoming a civil rights lawyer is one of the most important professions that one can have. In terms of a career there are three primary areas of civil rights law. Impact litigation, policy lawyering, and direct services. More recently, I believe that I have discovered a fourth. But for now, impact litigation involves engaging in litigation that will have a wide ranging impact on more than just the individual parties to the case. This may be in state or federal trial or appellate court, or even in the U.S. Supreme Court. Organizations that engage in lots of impact litigation, include the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU, and the Advancement Project.

Furthermore, policy work deals with seeking to have legislation passed that will enhance civil rights. Examples of pending litigation at the federal level that would directly impact civil rights are the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the For the People Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, as well as the Act to study Reparations, known as H.R. 40. All of these laws, if ever passed, (as most of these laws have been defeated due to the filibuster in the Senate), would significantly change the nature of civil rights in this country. However, policy lawyering can be done at the state and local level as well.

Next is direct services, which includes providing direct legal services to those underserved communities, unrepresented communities, African Americans, Latino Americans, and other people of color, as well as people who may be suffering due to poverty or other social issues. Legal Aid Organizations regularly engage in direct services.

Generally speaking, there is no direct path to becoming a civil rights lawyer, and unfortunately, the preparation in law school is not that extensive with limited course offerings in this area. However, aspiring lawyers may have to experiment either with courses in law school or with internship opportunities that may be offered. In addition, there are organizations like Equal Justice Works, and Skadden Arps, that provide fellowships for attorneys and law students to be able to work with nonprofit organizations engaging in civil rights lawyering. Furthermore, Civil Rights University will provide various resources to those wishing to become civil rights lawyers as well.

In addition, there are historical examples to follow of those who have had illustrious careers as civil rights lawyers, for instance, former Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, Dean Charles Hamilton Houston, Judge Constance Baker Motley, and many more. In addition, Dr. Kenneth Mack, authored a book entitled Representing the Race:The Creation of the Civil Rights Lawyer, which also contains helpful historical information about civil rights lawyers.

In any event, despite the lack of a plethora of resources, if you check your heart and feel it is your calling to become a civil rights lawyer, you should do it. Don’t let anything stand in your way. You are the person you have been waiting for, and even more importantly the people that need your help are counting on you to press forward and persevere past your fears to become the civil rights lawyer you want to be.

If you would like some support in your journal as a civil rights activist, lawyer, or social entrepreneur, sign up today, to get information about future offerings, and to be notified first about the great things that Civil Rights University has in store.

Until next time, continue forward in your civil rights activism.

Brian