VERMONT LAW AND GRADUATE SCHOOL is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor of Law to supervise and teach clinic students working on litigation and advocacy matters addressing important environmental and natural resources issues in the Environmental Advocacy Clinic. An applicant should have an enthusiasm for working with law students who are eager to learn and practice skills.

Essential Functions and Principal Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with clients, prospective clients, and Clinic Director 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.

• Collaborate with and mentor more junior attorneys (when requested).

• Work with other professors to develop and teach practical legal skills to student clinicians.

• Develop, update, and teach seminars.

• Facilitate case reviews.

• Supervise multiple student clinicians each semester (fall, spring, and summer).

• 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 where appropriate.

• Attend and present at relevant conferences.

• Attend and participate in faculty, e-faculty, and clinical faculty meetings.

• Participate actively in the dynamic VLGS law school environment, including collaboration with other law school programs.

• 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.

• 5-10 years or more of relevant legal advocacy experience, with substantial weight given to environmental litigation and administrative proceeding experience.

• Understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints.

• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

• Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters, including litigation, and manage partners, students, and co-counsel effectively without extensive 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 ExamSoft, Canvas, and others.

• Ability to maintain relationships with diverse partners.

• Ability to supervise students.

• Clinical or teaching experience preferred.

• Understanding of and appreciation of environmental justice considerations in environmental litigation and advocacy preferred. Good team member, interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor.

• Respect – Understanding and interest in incorporating VLGS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values into the classroom and workspace.

• Adaptability and Flexibility - Must be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school to carry out the administrative duties associated with teaching. Willingness and ability to work remotely in emergency situations. Ability to work the occasional after-hours and weekend hours required to support students in this position. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.

• Communication - talk and/or listen to convey or exchange information; communicate effectively and efficiently in written correspondence and technical correspondence in English; process and comprehend written material; exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at conclusions, solutions, or dispute resolution.

• Professional Discretion - exercise thoughtful judgment and meet deadlines; develop and maintain effective professional relationships with others; function effectively under stress; adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities.

• Collaboration - This position requires collaboration with peers and colleagues as well as students, and ability to independently manage deadlines and multiple projects.

• Service - Faculty and staff at Vermont Law and Graduate School provide service to students, the community, and one another through service on committees and appropriate volunteer opportunities both on-and off-campus.

• Scholarship – Faculty at Vermont Law and Graduate School are encouraged to pursue research and scholarship opportunities as a critical part of their own continuous learning process.

• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.

• Physical ability to perform all essential functions of the job with or without basic accommodations.

Requirements

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

Other Requirements:

Application Requirements:

Please attach a resume and cover letter for consideration. If you are applying from a third party website (Indeed, etc.) and are unable to attach additional materials to your online application, please apply directly at https://www.vermontlaw.edu/community/about-vls/employment-opportunities or email required documents to Christine Moyer, cmoyer@vermontlaw.edu.

Note: All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Employees may be required, from time to time, to follow other job-related duties as requested by their Department Head, Supervisor, Dean, or as outlined in the Faculty Handbook (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.  

Salary Description

$85,000-$100,000