Interested in potentially pursuing a career as a lawyer? Then you should know about the different legal specialties available! Two common areas of practice include human rights law and civil rights law. Both involve protecting individuals from unfair treatment, but their responsibilities aren’t identical.
So, what separates these two legal specialties? Here’s what you should know before deciding which field interests you.
The Rights They Protect
Human rights lawyers focus on fundamental freedoms that belong to every person, regardless of nationality or citizenship. Their work addresses violations of basic human dignity, including the treatment of people living under oppressive governments.
Civil rights lawyers concentrate on protections established through a country’s laws and constitution. In the United States, these protections address discrimination and guarantee certain freedoms within American society.
For example, a civil rights lawyer may represent an employee who experienced unlawful discrimination because of their religion. A human rights lawyer may investigate the persecution of religious minorities in another country.
The Laws They Follow
Human rights lawyers frequently work with international agreements that establish standards for how governments should treat people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one foundational document, although it isn’t itself a binding treaty.
Civil rights lawyers primarily rely on domestic legislation. In the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides protections against discrimination in several areas of public life.
These legal foundations affect how attorneys develop their cases. Civil rights lawyers generally have specific domestic statutes they can enforce, while human rights lawyers must determine which international agreements or national laws apply to a particular violation.
Where They Practice Law
Human rights lawyers may work internationally, particularly when investigating abuses involving foreign governments. Their responsibilities sometimes require collaboration with organizations operating across national borders.
However, international human rights work doesn’t always involve traveling abroad. Some attorneys handle human rights issues within their own countries, including cases involving refugees.
Civil rights lawyers generally practice within a particular national legal system. American civil rights attorneys primarily handle disputes involving federal or state protections.
As a result, someone interested in working across different countries may gravitate toward human rights law, while someone interested in American constitutional protections may prefer civil rights litigation.
Who They Represent
Human rights lawyers represent individuals whose fundamental freedoms have been violated. For example, they may advocate for refugees fleeing political persecution or people subjected to unlawful detention by their governments.
Civil rights lawyers focus on people who have experienced discrimination under domestic law. Marginalized populations face discrimination in different settings, including higher abuse risks in medical care. A civil rights lawyer may represent a patient who experienced unlawful discriminatory treatment or an employee denied a promotion because of their race.
Both specialties serve people whose rights have been violated, but the legal protections available to their clients differ.
The Courts That Hear Their Cases
Civil rights lawyers typically bring lawsuits before domestic courts. In the United States, a discrimination case may proceed through federal court when the claim involves federal civil rights legislation.
Human rights lawyers sometimes pursue cases through international judicial bodies, depending on the countries involved and the court’s jurisdiction.
However, international courts don’t automatically accept every human rights complaint. Specific jurisdictional requirements determine whether a case qualifies for review.
This limitation affects how attorneys pursue justice. Civil rights lawyers generally operate within established national court systems, while human rights lawyers sometimes have fewer international judicial options available.
The Organizations They Work With
Human rights lawyers frequently collaborate with international advocacy organizations that investigate violations and support affected populations.
Some work with nonprofit groups documenting government misconduct. Others participate in programs that provide legal assistance to people seeking protection from persecution.
Civil rights lawyers work in private law firms and nonprofit legal organizations. Some hold positions in government agencies responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
The organizational setting affects their daily responsibilities. An attorney employed by an international advocacy organization may spend considerable time investigating human rights conditions, while a civil rights litigator may concentrate on representing clients in court.
How They Investigate Violations
Human rights lawyers sometimes investigate abuses occurring in regions where access to reliable information is limited. Gathering testimony from witnesses may require cooperation with local organizations.
Political instability can complicate these investigations, particularly when government officials restrict access to relevant records.
Civil rights lawyers generally investigate alleged violations through procedures established by domestic law. In American litigation, attorneys may obtain relevant documents through the discovery process after filing a lawsuit.
Although both specialties require evidence, the circumstances surrounding its collection differ. Human rights investigations may encounter international access restrictions that domestic civil litigation doesn’t ordinarily involve.
The Legal Remedies They Pursue
Civil rights lawyers may seek monetary compensation for clients harmed by unlawful discrimination. Depending on the case, they may pursue court orders requiring defendants to stop discriminatory practices.
Human rights lawyers sometimes seek accountability through international proceedings or domestic prosecutions involving serious abuses.
Their work may focus on establishing responsibility for violations rather than securing individual financial compensation.
However, available remedies depend on the legal framework governing each case. Neither specialty guarantees a particular outcome, and a successful claim doesn’t necessarily produce compensation.
Understanding these differences gives prospective attorneys a better idea of what successful representation involves within each field.
The Challenges They Encounter
Human rights lawyers sometimes confront governments unwilling to cooperate with investigations. Even when an international body identifies a violation, enforcing its findings may prove difficult. Political resistance can therefore prevent victims from receiving the remedies they seek.
Civil rights lawyers face different obstacles when pursuing discrimination cases. Proving that unlawful discrimination occurred may require extensive documentation, especially when the responsible party denies discriminatory intent.
These difficulties require attorneys to understand the limitations of their chosen legal systems. Both professions demand persistence, but the obstacles arise from different sources of legal authority.
The Career Preparation They Need
Aspiring civil rights lawyers in the United States generally attend law school and obtain a license to practice in their chosen jurisdiction. Coursework involving constitutional law provides a foundation for understanding civil rights protections.
Human rights lawyers pursuing international careers may benefit from studying international law during their legal education. Knowledge of foreign legal systems can further support their work.
Both paths require substantial legal training, although career requirements vary by country and position.
Students considering either specialty should examine the subjects covered in relevant law school courses. Early exposure can reveal which area interests them professionally.
Choosing Between These Legal Specialties
The differences between human rights and civil rights lawyers extend beyond the cases they handle. Their legal responsibilities reflect the protections established by domestic law and international agreements.
If you’re interested in confronting abuses that cross national borders, human rights law offers opportunities to work within international legal frameworks. Civil rights law may appeal to you if you’d rather represent people challenging discrimination under American law.
Neither specialty is limited to a single type of injustice, and attorneys sometimes work in both fields. Your decision should reflect the legal issues you want to address and the professional responsibilities you want to pursue.
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