WILLIAM & MARY LAW SCHOOL is hiring a Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor to Direct the Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic.

Direct link to apply: https://jobs.wm.edu/postings/55691

Position Information

Present Position Number             F0794W

Role Title            Instructor/12-Mth

Position Title      Clinical Asst/Assoc/Prof & Dir, Puller Clinic

Unit Mission Statement:

William & Mary Law School provides an exceptional education for tomorrow’s lawyers. As the nation’s first law school, we maintain an enduring tradition of intellectual and professional excellence. We improve legal systems here and abroad through a commitment to the classroom, influential scholarship, and service to the public. Our students become highly skilled advocates, ready to serve their clients and their communities with thoughtful engagement and unwavering integrity. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. Above all, we strive to be a diverse and close-knit community, inclusive in the broadest sense and defined by a shared commitment to the rigorous and open-minded study of the law.

Position Summary:

The Director, Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic and Clinical/Clinical Associate/Clinical Assistant Professor of Law provides legal services to veterans in their disability compensation claims at the administrative agency, Board of Veterans Appeals, and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In addition, the Puller Clinic engages in informal advice, counsel and outreach, and offers an online certificate program for those interested in veterans advocacy. When appropriate and practicable, the Clinic operates in partnership with graduate psychology clinics and additional medical professionals to address both the legal and medical needs of veteran clients.

The Puller Clinic trains law students in a clinical law school setting to be thoroughly familiar with a difficult area of administrative law, to develop basic and advanced law office management skills, to refine research and legal writing abilities, to interview clients and witnesses, to interact with opposing counsel, to draft legal briefs and memoranda when appropriate, and to create relationships with clients and investigate and advocate on their behalf both orally and in writing.

The Director and Clinical/Clinical Associate/Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and will be responsible for all aspects of Puller Clinic operation, including:

• Clinical Teaching: Bi-weekly seminar instruction; evaluating student performance and the status of cases through regularly scheduled student meetings; assessing student success with student-directed reviews and evaluations; preparing students for a number of different legal practical experiences through training and planning; evaluating student performance after legal experiences through after action reviews; working with students to understand various levels of legal authority in their cases; guiding and advising students on work with clients; overseeing outreach activities of the clinic with student interaction; advising students on practical legal work; preparing students for the ethical and reflective practice of law.
• Casework and Client Representation: Responsible for operation of the Puller Clinic office as a small law office with law student associate attorneys. Case management of client files includes selecting clients, representing clients in disability compensation claims before administrative bodies and courts (as applicable); interviewing clients and witnesses; monitoring and supervising student work on the cases; keeping up to date on pertinent case law, regulations, decisions, statutes, etc.; making final legal decisions on the method of pursuing cases and the objectives; giving legal advice to clients; and working with students and medical professionals (as appropriate and practicable) to develop evidentiary support for cases. Case supervision is during the academic year as well as in the summer months, the latter with assistance from student research assistants.
• Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate, including providing information to Law School Advancement, interacting with the Virginia General Assembly as appropriate, writing grants and proposals as well as serving as principal investigator for awarded grants; preparing required grant reports and other financial reporting, as required.
• Work closely and coordinate with the Puller Clinic Advisory Board.
• Oversee and implement all aspects an online certificate program in veteran advocacy.
• Organize conferences, symposia, and educational outreach as appropriate; collaboration and partnership with other organizations; and supervision of clinical fellows, when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• JD and valid state bar license required. If a Virginia Bar License is not held, must seek admission to the Virginia Bar, which may be done through reciprocity or examination.
• Knowledge of and experience with representing veterans in disability compensation claims. Must have client-based experience, advocacy experience, and superior research and legal writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in clinical teaching.

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a non-tenure eligible (NTE) position eligible for Security of Position.
• This position may be hired as at the rank of Clinical, Clinical Associate, or Clinical Assistant Professor.
• Contract length varies by rank; the contract for a Clinical Professor is presumptively renewable, subject to the terms of the Law School Faculty Handbook and the William & Mary Faculty Handbook. The contracts for other ranks are renewable according to the promotion procedures outlined in the Law School Faculty Handbook.

Department       3N1000 Law School Operations

Location              William & Mary

Job Open Date   08/21/2023

Review Begin Date          09/18/2023

Job Close Date  

Open Until Filled             Yes

Job Category      Instructional Faculty

Special Application Instructions:

Required Documents: Cover letter and CV/Resume

For priority consideration, submit application materials by the review date, September 18, 2023. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed.

Background Check Statement:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement:

William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Benefits Summary Statement:

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).

Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/hr/currentemployees/benefits/index.php

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1.           Resume/Curriculum Vitae

2.           Cover Letter