YALE LAW SCHOOL and its Law, Ethics, and Animals Program (LEAP) is hiring a Litigation Fellow to join the Climate Change & Animal Agriculture Litigation Initiative (CCAALI) within the Climate, Animal, Food, and Environment Law & Policy Lab (CAFE Lab). CCAALI, which launched in October 2021, is focused on evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of litigation in the United States based on animal agriculture’s contributions to climate change. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact and cutting-edge research initiative at a preeminent university, engaging with varied areas of law including animal law, climate law, environmental law, and environmental justice. The Litigation Fellow will receive a one-year appointment beginning in September 2023, renewable for an additional year by mutual agreement.

The primary responsibilities of the Litigation Fellow will be to work with outside collaborators on litigation theories and to contribute to CCAALI legal research, publications, and events. The Litigation Fellow will have a leading role in helping to develop an emerging area of legal activity through supporting litigation, legal research, writing, strategic decision making, relationship building, and public education. The Litigation Fellow will be supervised by the CCAALI Project Manager with guidance and engagement from LEAP faculty and support from student research assistants. In addition to legal research and writing, the Litigation Fellow will collaborate and engage with subject matter experts at Yale and beyond, including assisting with an expert workshop to be held during the fall of 2024. The position can be based at Yale Law School in New Haven, and remote applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Graduation with a distinguished academic record from law school;
• Admission to the bar (or pending admission) in at least one U.S. state and willingness to pursue bar admission in Connecticut if needed;
• Substantial experience in litigation, environmental law, climate law, animal law, agricultural law, and/or other relevant areas of practice;
• Record of scholarship, policy briefs, legal briefs, or other relevant writing and publications;
• Comfort interpreting scientific literature and technical concepts;
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for teamwork;
• Capacity to work hard, efficiently, and independently; and
• Commitment to public service or social justice work.

The Litigation Fellow will receive a competitive salary commensurate with experience level plus Yale University benefits.

Application materials should be sent to daina.bray@yale.edu and include the following:

• Cover letter describing the candidate’s qualifications and including a statement of the applicant’s interests and experience;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript;
• Sample of recent scholarly, policy, or advocacy writing; and
• Contact information for two or three references.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the legal profession and the animal and environmental protection movements.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please direct any questions about the position or the application process to daina.bray@yale.edu.

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.