Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

To apply for this opportunity, please follow the directions below in “Applicant Special Instructions”.

The First Amendment Clinic at Washington University School of Law seeks a full-time Legal Fellow for an up to two-year term.

The First Amendment Clinic’s mission is to defend and advance the rights of free speech, press, assembly, and petition through regional litigation and advocacy, while providing law students with the practice and real-world experience to become leaders on First Amendment issues. The Clinic takes on a wide array of cases and controversies, including defense against libel claims and newsgathering torts, access to courts, and defending the rights of journalists, artists, protesters, and others who have been censored by the government.� The Clinic and the legal fellow position are supported by the Stanton Foundation.

Under the direction of the Clinic’s Director, the Fellow will be expected to: (1) engage in substantial legal work, including direct client representation encompassing intake/case evaluation, drafting and filing pleadings, taking discovery, motion practice, and court appearances; and (2) help supervise law students by providing feedback on their written work, client interaction, and oral advocacy. The Fellow will also assist with coalition building and managing referral relationships with public interest organizations, law firms, journalists, and other stakeholders committed to protecting expressive freedoms.

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted or eligible to practice law in Missouri (i.e., must be a member of the Missouri bar, able to become a member within six months of starting the position or eligible for a certificate to supervise students as a law teacher pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 13.06).
• Strong academic record.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with both students and community/professional partners.
• Interest in First Amendment law.  

The start date for this position is negotiable, but should be no earlier than February 1, 2021, and no later than July 1, 2021.  For fullest consideration, apply by December 30, 2020.

Applicants should submit a cover letter (briefly describing the candidate’s interest and qualifications), resume, and at least two references to Lisa Hoppenjans, Director, First Amendment Clinic, at lhoppenjans@wustl.edu.  Please use the email subject line “Application for First Amendment Fellowship.”

Applicants must also submit an online application by navigating to https://jobs.wustl.edu/ and searching for job opening number 49768.

Base pay commensurate with experience.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account. If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor. To attach these documents, go to: My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. Current employees applying for a new position within the university may be subject to this requirement. The screenings will include a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

This position is eligible for full-time benefits.  Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits:  https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/.

This position is in the School of Law Clinical Education Program.  This position is for the Danforth Campus.

Two years of litigation or clerkship experience.