Qualifications: Must be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts bar and qualified to represent clients in Massachusetts State Courts, or able to waive or test into the Massachusetts Bar prior to the commencement of the Fellowship. Must be qualified to represent clients in state and federal administrative agencies such, as the United States Social Security Administration. Admission to the bar of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts is a plus. At least two to three years of experience with mental health and disability and/or probate/family litigation is required. Teaching experience is preferred but not required, as is experience participating in a law school clinic. This position is designed for someone who wishes to launch a career in clinical education under the mentorship of a talented and experienced team of Clinicians.
Hours: Full Time
Fellowship Description: The Health Law Clinic Fellow will be among a group of several clinical fellows at SULS developing their clinical teaching skills through teaching and supervision in the SULS clinics. During the fellowship, the Fellow will gain experience with clinical supervision and familiarization with clinical pedagogy. The Fellow will work with members of the clinical faculty to develop clinical teaching skills and will be afforded opportunities to work with the Suffolk University Center for Teaching and Scholarship Excellence to develop teaching, course design skills, and scholarship. The Fellow will be mentored in the area of teaching, course design, scholarship, the job market, using research assistants, and other topics. The Fellow will be supported in her/his scholarship, including being given the opportunity to present draft papers at one or more legal conferences and before the Suffolk faculty. The Fellow will observe faculty teaching their clinical seminars and have the opportunity to teach some class sessions alongside the full-time faculty in the Fellow’s area of discipline. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year, with the opportunity to renew for a second year by mutual agreement between the Fellow and Suffolk. At the conclusion of the fellowship, the Fellow should be prepared to enter the market for full-time clinical faculty positions.
Health Law Clinic Position Summary: The Health Law Clinicwas launched in 2010 to augment Suffolk Law’s clinical offerings and complement Suffolk’s Health Law Concentration. For the past several years, Suffolk’s Clinical Programs have been nationally ranked as some of the leading programs of their type in the country. The Health Law Clinic (HLC) represents low-income, chronic users of the healthcare system in a diverse range of legal matters aimed at stabilizing patients’ lives and improving overall healthcare access and outcomes. In years past, the Clinical practice has had a particular focus on mental health and disability law. Student Attorneys enrolled in the Clinic have represented individuals with mental and physical disabilities and their family members in both litigation and administrative matters such as adult guardianship cases in the Probate Court, appeals of denials of disability benefits before the Social Security Administration, and denials of public and private health insurance coverage for mental health and substance use treatment. Students have also assisted clients with other health-related legal issues such as drafting health care proxies. Through student supervision and the tools of clinical pedagogy, the Fellow will help students develop essential lawyering skills, such as client interviewing and counseling, case theory development, fact investigation, drafting, advocacy, and resolving ethical dilemmas in practice.
The Fellow will directly supervise a team of 8 full-year clinical student attorneys in their casework. The Fellow will be responsible for managing and overseeing the caseload of the Clinic, including intake, case opening and closing procedures, case assignment and appearing in Court and at case-related events with students. The Fellow will have the opportunity to foster partnerships with healthcare providers, government officials and/or advocates in the non-profit sector to advance the work of the HLC and benefit its students. The Fellow may work with the Assistant Director of Clinical Programs to adjust the case load of the Clinic to meet her/his interests and expertise, provided there are pedagogical advantages and service needs to be addressed by the changes. In addition to supervising students, the Fellow will assist in student trainings and teach some of the weekly seminar classes covering substantive areas of mental health and disability law, basic lawyering skills, and professional ethics and identity.
Timing: This is a one-year appointment available to begin July 1, 2016 or soon thereafter, with the opportunity to renew for a second year by agreement of the Fellow and Suffolk. The Fellow will be directly supervised by the Associate Director of Clinical Programs. The Law School particularly encourages applications from women, minorities, and others whose backgrounds will contribute to the diversity of the faculty.
Required Application Documents: Cover letter
Resume or CV
Writing Sample (scholarly or practice-oriented)
List of three references (preferably one clinician)
Optional Application Documents: Teaching Evaluations (if applicable)
Scholarship (if applicable)