Harvard Law School-LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic-Director/Clinical Instructor

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Law School?

Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

Job Description

The Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School seeks to hire a director to lead the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic. Launched in 2020, the Clinic provides students with opportunities to develop lawyering and advocacy skills that respond to the unmet legal needs of LGBTQ+ communities. The substance of the docket is flexible and will be shaped by the director’s vision for the Clinic. The Clinic is one of the six community-based clinics that comprise the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School. Consistent with the Legal Services Center’s longstanding public interest legal practice and pedagogical models, the Clinic’s docket should include community-based direct legal services, with an option to incorporate systemic reform lawyering, whether through impact litigation or otherwise. The director will also hold the title of clinical instructor. In addition to leading the Clinic’s advocacy and experiential learning opportunities, the director will develop a classroom curriculum for students enrolled in the clinic. The director will join the Legal Services Center’s and Harvard Law School’s collaborative clinical communities, which provide numerous opportunities for connection, partnership, and innovation. To learn more about the Legal Services Center, please visit here.

As the Director and Clinical Instructor, you will:

Set a vision for the Clinic’s legal advocacy and learning environment

Lead and manage the Clinic

Develop and oversee the Clinic’s docket

Serve as lead counsel in Clinic cases

Engage with community-based organizations, LGBTQ+ legal advocacy organizations, and other partners for the purposes of, and as appropriate, co-counseling cases, maintaining client referral streams, and fostering opportunities for students to engage directly with client communities

Using best practices in clinical pedagogy, train, supervise, and mentor clinical law students in their representation of Clinic clients

Develop the curriculum for the clinical seminar that is a co-requisite of the Clinic

Lead and manage the Clinic’s efforts related to student outreach and engagement with the wider Harvard Law School community

Ensure Clinic compliance with Harvard Law School and Legal Services Center clinical policies

Actively participate in and contribute to the Legal Services Center clinical community

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must possess a J.D., have at least 5 years of relevant experience, and, if not already admitted in Massachusetts, be admitted to the bar of any other state and be able to waive into the Massachusetts bar within 18 months of hiring.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people with:

Demonstrated commitment to public interest law

Demonstrated commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ communities

Significant litigation experience

Passion for teaching and mentoring

Experience or an interest in clinical education

Experience leading programs or projects

Collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit

Additional Information

Appointment End Date: This is a three-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to need and funding

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time.

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Certification/License

Other Information:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. While we are interested in filling this position at the earliest opportunity, the start date is flexible to fall 2026, spring 2027, or summer 2027.

The position is based on site at the Legal Services Center in Jamaica Plain, MA, plus one-day per week on the main campus in Cambridge for the purposes of teaching the clinical seminar during the fall and spring semesters.

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.