Clinical Fellow for Veterans Advocacy Clinic
- University of Baltimore School of Law
- Baltimore, MD, USA
- Jan 08, 2025
Job Description
Position is open until filled, and applications received by February 1, 2025, will receive priority consideration.
The University of Baltimore School of Law invites applications for a clinical teaching fellowship in the Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic (BPVAC) to start on or about July 1, 2025. This full-time, year-round, 3-year public interest fellowship program offers superb mentorship and training as the Fellow transitions from law practice to law faculty, providing intensive support in the areas of clinical pedagogy, academic writing, and more. The BPVAC Fellow will join a cohort of approximately nine Fellows, each of whom teaches in a different clinic; many former Fellows have moved into long-term teaching positions at other institutions after completing their Fellowship. Because we value the diversity of our faculty and student body, we welcome all qualified candidates, including members of communities that are traditionally under-represented in the legal profession and academia.
The BPVAC, housed within an urban law school, represents low-income individuals in veterans law litigation, legislative advocacy, and legal reform. The BPVAC handles a wide variety of cases, which include VA disability claims and appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims appeals, discharge upgrade petitions, and veterans treatment court cases. The Fellow's duties include direct supervision of case work by clinic students, clinic classroom teaching in coordination with clinic faculty, and development of academic writing. During winter and summer breaks in the academic calendar, when students are not enrolled in the BPVAC, the Fellow also covers client matters, including matters for other clinics that are within the Fellow’s expertise; handles additional BPVAC and clinical program duties as assigned; and develops their academic writing. Because the BPVAC serves evening and day students, the Fellow will teach at least one evening each week during the fall and spring semesters, with daytime hours adjusted accordingly.
We look forward to receiving your electronic application, including a cover letter, resume, and a brief statement about how your candidacy would support traditionally underrepresented communities in the legal profession and academia. Please save your cover letter, resume, and statement as one document and attach it in the resume location.
Qualifications: Two or more years of legal practice in veterans law; excellent oral and written communication skills; a demonstrated interest in working for low-income clients; and a strong interest in teaching. Be a member of the Maryland Bar or be licensed in another state and be willing to become administratively certified as a clinic supervising attorney under the Maryland Rules.
Salary: The current salary is $70,000. The position includes full benefits, including retirement. Benefits are listed here (see under “Faculty and Regular Employees”): https://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/offices-and-services/human-resources/benefits/index.cfm. This position also includes research support, and travel allowance to attend relevant conferences and workshops. Candidates may qualify for tuition remission, depending on individual circumstances. The position currently qualifies for the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
The University of Baltimore (“UB”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion, age, disability, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other legally protected characteristics in its programs, activities or employment practices. UB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Compliant Employer & Title IX Institution.
Because we value the diversity of our faculty and student body, we welcome all qualified candidates including members of communities that are traditionally under-represented in the legal profession and academia.
The University of Baltimore School of Law annually provides nearly 200 students the opportunity to participate in clinical programs and externships. These programs provide both day and evening students a broad range of experiential learning opportunities as licensed student-attorneys (clinics) and closely supervised law clerks (externships).
While students in the clinical program at the University of Baltimore School of Law -- ranked 14th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report -- receive unmatched, real-life practical experience, they also generate significant results that benefit the Baltimore region and Maryland. In addition, the school's proximity to Washington, D.C., allows students to participate in externships in a wide range of governmental, public-interest and private-sector placements. Clinics represent, on average, 200 low-income clients every year, including adults, children, neighborhood associations and other nonprofit organizations.
Under the supervision of faculty, most clinics allow students to provide the full range of representation to clients. Clinic work includes interviewing, counseling, planning case strategy and appearing in court or before administrative agencies. Certain clinics, such as the Community Development Clinic, provide experience in transactional work.
Finally, most clinics also allow students to engage in more systemic work, including drafting and testifying in support of legislation and participating in state and national task forces on issues such as child neglect, domestic violence, protection for consumers and the promotion of affordable housing.
The clinic facility is run as a law office with a teaching and a public-service mission.