Application Guide
How to Apply for Trial Attorney
at Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters
🏢 About Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, with a national headquarters and a network of chapters across the country. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. Working here means being part of a mission-driven legal team that directly defends individuals facing discrimination, bias, and civil rights violations, often in high-impact litigation.
About This Role
As a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Department, you will work collaboratively with other attorneys as a member of trial teams, handling federal and state civil rights litigation from intake through trial. You will report to the National Litigation Director and play a key role in representing clients who have experienced religious discrimination, profiling, or other civil rights abuses. This is a remote position, but you must be willing to work East Coast hours (9 AM–5 PM ET) and reside in one of the listed states.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting motions, conducting legal research, meeting with clients, and collaborating with trial team members on case strategy. You may also participate in virtual court hearings, coordinate with CAIR's chapters, and respond to urgent civil rights violations. The work is fast-paced and mission-driven, with a focus on achieving justice for clients.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters Is Looking For
- Licensed attorney with 3+ years of civil rights litigation experience, including trial experience in federal or state courts.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil liberties, and the Muslim community, with knowledge of issues like religious discrimination, profiling, and First Amendment rights.
- Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to manage a caseload independently and collaborate effectively on trial teams.
- Located in or willing to relocate to one of the approved states (e.g., DC, MD, VA, NY, TX, etc.) and able to work East Coast hours.
📝 Tips for Applying to Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters
Highlight any experience with civil rights litigation, especially cases involving religious discrimination, national origin bias, or First Amendment claims, as CAIR's docket heavily focuses on these areas.
Emphasize your ability to work as part of a trial team—CAIR values collaboration, so mention specific examples of working with co-counsel, paralegals, or legal fellows on complex cases.
Address your location and availability upfront: confirm you reside in an approved state and can work 9–5 ET, as this is a strict requirement.
Connect your personal or professional background to CAIR's mission—demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting American Muslims and enhancing understanding of Islam.
Include a writing sample that showcases your legal analysis and advocacy skills, ideally a brief or motion from a civil rights case, as CAIR attorneys produce high-quality written work.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific civil rights litigation experience, including any trial work, and how it prepares you to handle CAIR's cases.", "Your commitment to CAIR's mission and the Muslim community, with concrete examples of past advocacy or community involvement.", 'Your ability to work remotely and collaboratively on a trial team, including experience with remote case management and East Coast hours.', 'Your understanding of the legal issues CAIR addresses, such as religious discrimination, profiling, and First Amendment violations.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review CAIR's recent litigation and advocacy work, including press releases, legal filings, and annual reports, to understand the types of cases they handle.
- → Learn about the National Litigation Director and other attorneys in the Civil Rights Department to understand their backgrounds and approach.
- → Research the states where CAIR operates and any recent civil rights issues affecting Muslim communities in those areas.
- → Understand CAIR's mission and history, including its founding and key achievements, to articulate why you want to work there.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without confirming you meet the location and time zone requirements—CAIR is strict about residing in approved states and working East Coast hours.
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CAIR's mission or your specific interest in civil rights litigation for Muslim communities.
- Failing to provide a writing sample or providing one that is not relevant to civil rights litigation, as this is a key evaluation criterion.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Council on American-Islamic Relations - National Headquarters!