There’s a wide range of employers who are hiring, from the public to private sector, although typically NGOs, or organizations, have far fewer resources – paid entry jobs – than the private sector. Many young lawyers who do want to work in the area of human rights, or refugee law, seek out third-party funding (grants for research fellowships, internships, etc.) to build their own career entry opportunities.
“It’s important to think outside of the box,” says Faryna. “Look for programs that will fund you – they’re out there – especially when you’re just getting started. Often they aren’t permanent positions, but they will help you build your skillset and resume, and prepare you for the future.”
Government
Potential Employers: Global Affairs Canada, USAID, Department for International Development, European Union
Job Portfolios: Positions focus on a wide-range of tasks and responsibilities, including: research, advising policy makers, drafting and negotiating international and bilateral trade and treaty agreements. Lawyers will focus on all areas of law: criminal law, environmental law, human rights law, immigration and refugee law, trade and investment law, public interest law, financial law, economic law, and commercial law.
Inter-Governmental Organizations
Potential Employers: United Nations, UNHCR, World Bank, International Criminal Court, international tribunals;
Job Portfolios: Lawyers will engage in research, trade and treaty negotiations, criminal prosecution, policy advising, mediating disputes, managing refugee and immigration claims and cases, etc.
Non-Governmental Organizations
Potential Employers: Human rights, advocacy, and international development organizations;
Job Portfolios: Lawyers will be responsible for a wide-range of tasks, including legal aid work, advocacy, policy and research, community liaising, environmental monitoring, public outreach and education, and legal literacy. Positions most readily available in human rights law, public interest law, environmental law, immigration and refugee law, and criminal law.
Academic Institutions
Potential Employers: Post-secondary institutions;
Job Portfolios: Find employment opportunities through research fellowships, human rights clinics, lecturers, and teaching positions. Research and teaching opportunities engage lawyers in all areas of international law: human rights law, environmental law, public interest law, commercial law, investment law, intellectual property law, and trade law.
Multinational Corporations
Potential Employers: Pharmaceutical companies, banks, natural resource companies, IT companies;
Job Portfolios: Lawyers work directly with multinational corporations as in-house attorneys to represent the interests of corporate entities, working on international disputes between corporations, or with governments, drafting contracts and agreements, adhering to investment rules and regulations, and liaising with communities where corporate entities work. Lawyers work in the areas of commercial law, oil and gas law, financial law, economic law, investment law, sports law, contract law, and intellectual property law.
Private Firms
Potential Employers: Law firms representing individuals and corporate entities;
Job Portfolios: Lawyers can find work with law firms representing the interests of start-ups, investment firms, small to large companies, corporations, and/or individuals. Lawyers can work across all areas of practice, but most commonly in: corporate law, commercial law, transactional law, economic law, criminal law, intellectual property law, and public interest law.
