Assistant/Associate Professor of Law, Environmental Advocacy Clinic

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Assistant/Associate Professor of Law, Environmental Advocacy Clinic

On-campus, non-remote

Benefits-Eligible

Reports to: Director, EAC

Salary: $90,000-$119,000

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community.

Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), a national leader in environmental law and restorative justice, invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Law to join our law faculty and teach in our Environmental Advocacy Clinic (EAC). Founded in 2003, the EAC maintains a docket of student-centered litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues. The selected candidate will supervise and teach clinic students working on litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues. This position may be paired with an appropriate leadership/administration role in the EAC (co-director, deputy/associate/assistant director) for a qualified candidate. Applicants should have enthusiasm for working with law students who are eager to learn and practice skills. The selected candidate will join a vibrant and supportive clinical community at VLGS.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with clients, prospective clients, Clinic Director, and other clinic faculty and staff to develop and maintain docket of student-centered litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues.
• Take primary responsibility for all aspects of their EAC matters, including litigation and administrative proceedings (including during breaks and non-teaching semesters).
• Collaborate with and mentor other attorneys and fellows (as requested).
• Work with other professors and fellows to teach practical legal skills to student clinicians.
• Develop, update, and teach seminars.
• Supervise multiple student clinicians.
• Collaborate and work with technical experts as needed.
• Manage positive relationships with co-counsel, clients, and partners.
• Work with the press and help develop communication strategies as appropriate.
• Attend and present at relevant conferences.
• Manage clinic technology and software.
• Participate actively in the dynamic VLGS law school environment, including collaboration with environmental, clinical, and other law school programs.

Requirements:

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Must be a licensed attorney who is active and a member in good standing in Vermont or has the ability to waive into Vermont for bar licensing purposes.
• 3 years or more of relevant legal advocacy experience, with substantial weight given to environmental litigation and administrative proceeding experience and to advocacy experience in a law school clinic.
• Understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints.
• Understanding and appreciation of environmental justice considerations in environmental litigation and advocacy.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters, including litigation, and to manage partners, students, and co-counsel effectively without supervision.
• Understanding of and ability to navigate within a Windows/Microsoft Office platform, primarily using Outlook, Calendar, and Microsoft Teams.
• Willingness to learn and use VLGS-specific learning management systems such as Canvas, and others.
• Ability to maintain relationships with diverse partners.
• Ability to supervise students.
• Good team member, interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor.

Preferred Education, Skills, and Experience for EAC Administration Role (if applicable):

• Law school teaching experience with significant weight given to clinical teaching experience.
• At least five years of environmental litigation experience.
• At least five years of management or senior-level experience.
• Experience with leadership, communications, program planning, fundraising, and managing staff in non-profit or academic setting.

VLGS is in South Royalton, Vermont, a small town on the bank of the beautiful White River. Less than thirty minutes away lie the amenities of the adjacent communities of Hanover, NH (home to Dartmouth College) and Lebanon, NH. Burlington, VT, Boston, MA, and Montreal, QC, are all within a three-hour drive. Requirements Applicants must submit (1) a cover letter (indicating interest in EAC administration role, if any), (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a writing sample, and (4) the names and contact information of three references.

VLGS will only contact references for finalists. VLGS strongly encourages applications from those who would increase our community’s diversity. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Christophe Courchesne, Director of the Environmental Advocacy Clinic and Associate Dean for Environmental and Experiential Programs (ccourchesne@vermontlaw.edu). The position will remain open until filled. ?