Higher Education Law Fellowship

Mission or goal of unit:

The Office of University Counsel provides timely and accurate advice on pending and anticipated legal issues to the Board of Visitors, the President, and college decision-makers. It engages in the active preventative practice of law, helps facilitate the accomplishment of the larger institutional objectives and aggressively defends all administrative, state and federal litigation, and/or closely monitors defense efforts of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and private counsel.

Chief purpose of this position:

The VCU Office of University Counsel seeks a lawyer to serve as a Higher Education Law Fellow for a one-year period of appointment to begin the late spring/early summer 2022. This position will provide the Law Fellow with first-hand experience working on a wide variety of legal issues affecting institutions of higher education. The Law Fellow will be assigned research, writing, and other projects in any of the substantive subject matter areas handled by the Office, including those related to employment, faculty, students, research, governance, contracts, compliance, intellectual property, constitutional law, Title IX and civil rights, health care, litigation, government relations, regulatory matters and others.

The Law Fellow will receive assignments from and will work under the supervision mentorship of the five existing attorneys in the Office of University Counsel, including the University (General) Counsel. The Office will provide opportunities for the Law Fellow to attend meetings, meet with clients, or otherwise participate in the full range of legal activities of the Office and the University. This Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for individuals with an interest in higher education law or the wide-ranging role of in-house counsel advising public institutions and entities.

This fellowship is restricted to a one year period.

Qualifications:

Licenses : Admission to a state bar is required, and admission to the Virginia bar is preferred.

Education : Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school with a record of strong academic achievement

Experience:

• Demonstrated research and writing ability (journal membership is preferred)
• An interest in learning about and supporting the legal mission of a major academic institution
• The ability to work effectively and cooperatively with attorneys and other university constituents while working on multiple projects concurrently
• Experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and a commitment to doing so at VCU.
• Existing admission to the Virginia bar is preferred but not required
• Familiarity with Virginia law is also preferred but not required
• The applicant must be willing to live and work in Richmond, Virginia

Applications will be accepted immediately and will be reviewed continuously until this position is filled. Individuals are encouraged to apply by May 9, 2022.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000

Position Details:

Department: Virginia Commonwealth University, Office of University Counsel
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Anna McLemore

Contact Email: ammclemore@vcu.edu