THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOOL OF LAW is hiring a Staff Attorney for its Veterans Legal Clinic.

The Veterans Legal Clinic at the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens, Georgia, seeks a staff attorney to start by June 1, 2024.  For full consideration, apply by Monday, March 25, 2024, using the following link: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/359236. 

The Clinic represents veterans and their families with claims for benefits from the Veterans Administration and from the military. We represent veterans who live in Georgia, with a particular focus on homeless and other vulnerable veterans. We work at a land-grant institution, with a mission to reach out to veterans in smaller cities and rural communities.

We handle claims for benefits from the VA and discharge change petitions with the military and the VA. We have an active referral practice and work closely with the other 17 clinics at our law school on other legal issues, including landlord-tenant, family, and criminal law concerns.

And we are a teaching law practice that enrolls up to 12 law students every semester. Our students dedicate over 5,500 hours of service to veterans each year.

The staff attorney represents veterans, supervises law students, and collaborates on teaching the clinic seminar and on outreach efforts to communities throughout the state. The staff attorney works with three other full-time advocates: the director, a post-graduate fellow, and a paralegal. The position offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of veterans advocacy and to develop your abilities as a clinical teacher.

Candidates must possess a JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school and either admission to the Georgia Bar or the ability to gain admission to the Georgia Bar within 12 months of starting the position. Candidates must be willing to become accredited as a lawyer with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We give preference to candidates who have experience: serving in the military; advocating for veterans and their families; representing clients in administrative proceedings and federal appeals; supervising students in a clinical setting; or engaging in outreach to low-income and vulnerable populations, especially in rural areas.  Applicants should possess exceptional writing skills, strong organizational ability, and a demonstrated commitment to serving the public.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. A background investigation will be required as part of the hiring process. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact UGA Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu). Please do not contact the department or search committee with such requests.

For further information, contact Professor Alex Scherr, Director of the Veterans Legal Clinic, at scherr@uga.edu.