Abrams Environmental Law Clinic Fellow

The University of Chicago Law School is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time position training and supervising law students as a Fellow, appointed with the rank of Lecturer, in the Law School's Abrams Environmental Law Clinic. The appointment is for one year; re-appointment for a second term may be possible. The position is for the 2014-15 academic year and will start on July 1, August 1 or September 1, 2014, based upon mutual agreement of the Law School and the successful applicant.

The Abrams Environmental Law Clinic attempts to solve some of the most pressing environmental problems at the local, regional and national levels. Representing environmental organizations, the clinic sues those who pollute illegally, fights for stricter permits, advocates for changes to regulations and laws, holds governmental agencies accountable, and promotes innovative approaches for improving the environment. While any given matter may require the use of one or more approaches, the clinic generally deploys adversarial approaches to help achieve its clients’ objectives. In addition, the clinic’s faculty are some of the primary resources for law student organizations and law students interested in environmental and energy issues, and clinic faculty have helped to organize panels and events on these topics. Clinical faculty also collaborate with other faculty and initiatives on these topics throughout the University.

Reporting to the Director of the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic, the successful candidate will participate in all aspects of the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic. Job responsibilities will include supervising student projects including providing feedback on written work, participating in team meetings, working with the Director to develop teaching materials and teaching in the clinic, developing and selecting clients, managing aspects of a blog and website relating to environmental and energy law and the Clinic, and organizing and coordinating relevant events, lectures and other clinic activities. One goal of this Fellowship is to train aspiring clinical teachers and public interest environmental attorneys.

Candidates must have a J.D. and at least two to four years of work experience as a practicing lawyer, with a strong preference for those who have worked for an environmental non-profit organization or government agency using litigation and similar enforcement tools. Must be a member in good standing of at least one bar and must be able to secure admission to the Illinois bar through waiver or examination promptly upon joining the clinic. Excellent writing, editing, advocacy, and supervision skills are required. Experience clerking at the trial court level is strongly desired, but not required. Prior teaching experience is highly desirable, but not required. Demonstrated ability to work with technology, including posting to a blog and website, is desired.

Each candidate should submit a cover letter that includes a detailed description of the candidate's relevant practice experience and teaching/supervision experience, resume or curriculum vita, a law school transcript, a list of references, course evaluations from prior teaching experience, if any, and a legal writing sample (not edited by anyone else). Other material relevant to your candidacy may be included as well. Candidates are required to apply online and upload all application material at the University of Chicago Academic Career Opportunities website: https://academiccareers.uchicago.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=53273 .

To ensure full consideration of your application, all application material should be uploaded to the referenced website by March 31, 2014. Screening will continue until the position is filled or until the application deadline of June 30, 2014. The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.