Vermont Law & Graduate School (VLGS) seeks a Staff Attorney and Clinical Faculty to support its new Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic (FAAC). The FAAC empowers students to become effective legal and policy advocates for animals through hands-on training in real life matters. Under the leadership of the FAAC director and lead professor, the FAAC staff attorney and clinical professor will support the FAAC by teaching and supervising students and managing a docket of litigation, legislative, and other strategic law and policy matters. 

Position Summary:

Vermont Law & Graduate School (VLGS) seeks an experienced Staff Attorney and Clinical Faculty to support its new Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic (FAAC). The FAAC empowers students to become effective legal and policy advocates for animals through hands-on training in real life matters. Under the leadership of the FAAC director and lead professor, the FAAC staff attorney and clinical professor will support the FAAC by teaching and supervising students and managing a docket of litigation, legislative, and other strategic law and policy matters. The staff attorney will also support the development of FAAC matters, relationships, publications, and outreach, and will support fundraising efforts in coordination with the FAAC director. 

Essential Functions and Principal Accountabilities:

Legal Advocacy

• Development and implement of matters that embrace, support, and contribute to the FAAC’s mission.
• Analyze the probable outcomes of potential matters.
• Advise clients.
• Interpret laws, ruling, and regulations.

Teaching and Student Mentorship

• Develop and teach clinic seminar sessions. 
• Supervise FAAC students.
• Encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among employees and students. 
• Establish long-range objectives and specify the strategies and actions to achieve them. 
• Create checklists and other instructional materials.
• Assist students in facilitating relationships with external organizations and constituencies.

Office Management: 

• Assist with expense reports/travel reimbursements.
• Maintain both electronic and paper files.
• Support fundraising efforts.

Marketing and Publications:

• Liaise with marketing and communications team to increase awareness of the FAAC.
• Draft internal and external documents on behalf of the FAAC.
• Promote the FAAC, including through presentations and at events. 

Requirements

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association-approved law school.
• 4 years or more of relevant legal advocacy experience, with substantial weight given to strategic litigation and administrative proceeding experience.
• Admission to the bar in any US jurisdiction, and admission or willingness to apply for admission to the Vermont bar.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters, including litigation, and manage partners, students, and co-counsel effectively without extensive supervision.
• Understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints. 
• Experience working in Windows/Microsoft environment with expertise in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Calendar, Word, and Excel. Willingness to learn and use VLGS-specific learning management systems such as ExamSoft, Canvas, and others.
• Experience working with case management (e.g., Clio) and e-discovery software (e.g., Relativity)
• Ability and willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing technological work environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative relationships.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, manage time effectively, establish priorities, and communicate expectations to stakeholders.
• Ability to discretely handle confidential information.
• Demonstrated familiarity with and commitment to the field of animal law and policy generally, and farmed animal advocacy specifically.
• Ability to supervise students. 
• Clinical or teaching experience preferred. 
• Good team member, interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor. 

Other Requirements:  

• Respect – Understanding and interest in incorporating VLS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values into the classroom and workspace. 
• Adaptability and Flexibility - Ability to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by VLGS to carry out the administrative duties associated with teaching.
• Work Ethic – Willingness and ability to work remotely in emergency situations. Ability to work the occasional after-hours and weekend hours required to support students in this position. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure. Ability to work independently to assist in meeting required deadlines and goals, as well as part of a team. Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and deadlines while maintaining a personable approach to faculty and students.
• Communication – Ability to talk and/or listen to convey or exchange information; communicate effectively and efficiently in written correspondence and technical correspondence in English; process and comprehend written material; exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at conclusions, solutions, or dispute resolution. 
• Professional Discretion – Ability to exercise thoughtful judgment and meet deadlines; develop and maintain effective professional relationships with others; function effectively under stress; adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities. 
• Collaboration - This position requires collaboration with peers and colleagues as well as students, and ability to independently manage deadlines and multiple projects. 
• Service- Faculty and staff at VLGS provide service to students, the community, and one another through service on committees and appropriate volunteer opportunities both on-and off-campus. 
• Scholarship - Faculty at Vermont Law School are encouraged to pursue research and scholarship opportunities as a critical part of their own continuous learning process. 
• Safety - Willingness and ability to follow any current or future health and safety policies or protocols laid out by the school.  
• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.
• Physical ability to perform all essential functions of the job with or without basic accommodations.

Note: All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. 

Link to Application