I love to make anti-lawyer jokes as much as the next guy, but it's just not true... | Hacker News

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nostromo on June 11, 2013 | parent | context | favorite | on: A.C.L.U. Files Suit Over Phone Surveillance Progra...

I love to make anti-lawyer jokes as much as the next guy, but it's just not true for the ACLU, EFF, and other public interest organizations.

ACLU lawyers make a fraction of what they could working for private law firms.

According to this article from 2007, a job at the ACLU will get you $59k starting wage vs. $160k working for private law firms. Note that these folks have the same college loans to payback. I think we owe them our respect and gratitude.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20070311/SUB/70311015

nullc on June 11, 2013 [–]

> Note that these folks have the same college loans to payback

This isn't always the case: http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/public-serv...

(At least employees of the ACLU foundation are eligible for loan forgiveness, and $59k is low enough that it would actually matter)

flyinRyan on June 12, 2013 | [–]

I don't really care what motivates them, so long as they fight for freedom and get the job done.

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