Duke School of Law-Environmental Law and Policy Clinic-Supervising Attorney
Duke Law School
Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
Supervising Attorney
Duke University School of Law seeks to hire a Supervising Attorney to support the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic. The Clinic is a joint initiative between Duke Law School and the Nicholas School of the Environment, enrolling students from each school to work on interdisciplinary projects and cases for clients who cannot afford legal and professional environmental services.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Clinic’s Co-Directors and Staff Scientist to teach in the Clinic’s seminar and supervise student work on cases and projects. Minimum professional requirements include a J.D. (or foreign equivalent) and at least three years of substantive legal experience providing exemplary representation in environmental law matters.
North Carolina Bar membership is required for this position. Preference will be given to those already licensed in North Carolina. Non-members hired for this position would be expected to seek membership as soon as possible.
The successful candidate will be expected to join the Duke Law faculty on a full-time basis in the summer of 2026. The precise contours of the position will be tailored to the strengths and interests of the successful applicant and formalized with their input. Specific academic title and terms of employment will be determined based upon the successful applicant’s qualifications.
Successful candidates will have the following demonstrated experience, skills, and interests:
• Experience teaching and student mentoring
• Interest in developing students’ understanding of the connections between individual casework and opportunities for systemic and structural change
• Experience supervising interdisciplinary teams
• Substantial legal experience representing clients in environmental law matters
• Ability and willingness to build and maintain connections to environmentally-focused non-governmental organizations and to work on behalf of participants in coalitions
• Experience combating environmental injustice through work on matters concerning water quality, environmental health, solid waste, hazardous waste, air pollution, zoning, or on utilities commission cases
Interested applicants must apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31066 no later than 5:00 pm on December 19, 2025. Screening and interviews will take place in 2026. Applicants must also submit their letter of interest and curriculum vitae via email to Sandra Pettiford at pettiford@law.duke.edu.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
• Letter of Interest
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses)
Further Info:
https://law.duke.edu/envlawpolicy
Ryke Longest (longest@law.duke.edu)
919-613-7207
210 Science Drive
Suite 1015, Duke Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708-0362