The Animal Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School is inviting applications for a full-time Clinical Instructor.
The Clinic focuses on the following core areas: federal animal welfare enforcement (captive animals); wildlife and biodiversity; and farmed animal welfare with a global focus. Through the Clinic, students are introduced to a range of federal and state laws that impact animals, including the Endangered Species Act, the Animal Welfare Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Students learn how to advance the interests of animals through litigation, administrative rulemaking, policy initiatives, and other legal advocacy avenues.
During the academic year, the Clinical Instructor will supervise and assess the work of up to eight Harvard Law School students per semester, which involves meeting regularly with students to discuss case strategy; reviewing and editing students? written work; accompanying students to any court, legislative, or administrative hearing; and providing regular feedback, both written and oral, on their performance. The Clinical Instructor will meet regularly with the Clinic Director to share information and strategies and help teach the weekly two-hour Clinic Seminar. The Clinical Instructor additionally will be expected to collaborate on and participate in initiatives of the entire HLS Clinical Program, including orientation, trainings, and retreats.
During summer transitions between academic years, the Clinical Instructor will be responsible for managing any ongoing projects and cases.
Position Description
As a Clinical Instructor you will:
Help teach the Clinic Seminar each semester;
Develop and lead the work on multiple Clinic projects, which includes managing and directing the day-to-day project work, managing relationships with clients and partners, and developing and implementing long-term strategic goals for the project;
Supervise clinical students on projects and train them on a broad range of lawyering skills including problem-solving; law and policy analysis; research and writing; oral communication; teamwork and collaboration; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and leadership;
Help students improve their substantive knowledge of the law in the areas presented by the projects;
Deliver talks and trainings and present the Clinic?s work at national conferences and events;
Oversee administrative tasks of the Clinic, including event planning, student outreach, communications, development, and other tasks that arise;
Engage in outreach that highlights the Clinic?s work to promote a deeper understanding of how animal protection issues affect other public interest fields, and foster collaboration across public interest lawyering;
Help develop strategies and projects for the ongoing growth and success of the innovative work of the Clinic; and
Perform other duties as assigned by the Clinic Director concerning the work of the Clinic.
Basic Qualifications
J.D. earned at least three years ago, minimum of three years of relevant legal practice experience, active membership in at least one state bar, and eligibility to be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
3 years of relevant litigation experience an asset.
5 years of relevant legal practice experience a plus.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Experience with clinical pedagogy and in training, supervising, teaching, and mentoring junior lawyers or law students a plus.
Motivation, initiative, and creative problem-solving skills.
The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in teams. Willingness to work with patience and flexibility within a student-run law clinic. A commitment to pursuing excellence in all facets of work.
Experience in animal law, particularly international animal law related to farmed animals, is an asset, though candidates with experience in related practice areas (such as food law, environmental law, labor law, administrative law, or international human rights) will be considered so long as they demonstrate a willingness to quickly expand their knowledge in the realm of animal law and policy.
Additional Information
This is a two-year appointment subject to funding and departmental need.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format
On-Site
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.