HARVARD LAW SCHOOL’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic (the “Clinic”), is inviting applications for a full-time Clinical Instructor. 
 
The new Animal Law & Policy Clinic is part of the existing Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program (the “Program”), whose policy work has been cited in U.S. Congressional hearings and covered in major media outlets.  The Clinic will benefit from and be able to take advantage of the experience and reputation of the Program and its personnel, and the Clinic and Program will work collaboratively toward shared goals.  The Clinic will undertake work in the area of animal law and policy, both domestically and internationally.  It will focus on high impact opportunities to improve the treatment of animals, which might include litigation, policy analysis, or applied academic research. 
 
The Animal Law & Policy Clinic will join the 40 different programs that make up the HLS Clinical and Pro Bono Programs, through which students provide high-quality, free legal services to thousands of people each year and work on innovative law reform efforts across the United States and the world.  The vast majority of HLS students enroll in at least one clinic.  This large and diverse clinical legal education program will provide numerous opportunities for connection and collaboration.
 
Duties & Responsibilities:

During the academic year, the Clinical Instructor will supervise and assess the work of up to eight Harvard Law School students per semester, which will involve meeting regularly with students to discuss case strategy; reviewing and editing students’ written work; accompanying students to any court, legislative or administrative hearings; and providing regular feedback, both written and oral, on their performance.  The Clinical Instructor will meet regularly with other teaching staff to share information and strategies, and will be expected to collaborate on and participate in initiatives of the entire Clinical Program, including orientation, trainings, and retreats. 

During the summer recess, the Clinic will operate a summer program in which the Clinical Instructor will supervise students.  During periods of transition between the academic year and summer programs, the Clinical Instructor will be responsible for direct project handling. 
 
The Clinical Instructor’s direct duties will entail, but are not limited to:

• Developing and leading the work on one or more Clinic projects, which includes managing and directing the day-to-day project work, managing relationships with clients and partners, and developing and implementing long-term strategic goals for the project;
  
• Supervising clinical students on projects and training these students on a broad range of lawyering skills including problem-solving, law and policy analysis, research and writing, oral communication, and leadership;
  
• Helping students to improve their substantive knowledge of the law in the areas presented by the projects;
  
• Delivering talks and trainings to NGOs and government officials, and presenting on the Clinic’s work at national conferences and events;
  
• Leading and supporting the administrative tasks of the Clinic, including event planning, student outreach, communications, development, and other tasks that arise;
  
• Engaging in outreach that highlights the Clinic’s work to promote a deeper understanding of how animal protection issues affect other public interest fields, and fostering collaboration across traditional public interest disciplines;
  
• Helping develop strategies for the ongoing growth and success of the innovative work of the Clinic and the Program; and,
  
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Faculty Director or Clinical Professor concerning the work of the Clinic.

Basic Qualifications

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school earned at least three years ago, minimum of three years of relevant legal practice experience, active membership in at least one state bar, and eligibility to be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

Additional Qualifications

5 years of relevant legal practice experience, and a minimum 2 years clinical teaching experience, preferred.  Excellent oral and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills.  Experience with clinical pedagogy and in the training, supervising, teaching, and mentoring of junior lawyers or law students.  Motivation, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills.  The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in teams.  Willingness to work with patience and flexibility within a student-run law clinic.  A commitment to pursuing excellence in all facets of work.
 
Experience in animal law is preferred, though candidates with experience in related practice areas (such as food law, environmental law, labor law, administrative law, or human rights) will be considered so long as they demonstrate a willingness to quickly expand their knowledge in the realm of animal law and policy. 

Additional Information

This is a term appointment currently expected to begin July 1, 2019 and extend for two years with the possibility of renewal based on performance, continued funding, and departmental need.

Harvard Law School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other prohibited category. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and all qualified persons to apply for this position.