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Associate Director - Environmental Law Clinic - School of Law

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Position overview

Position title: Associate Director, Environmental Law Clinic
Salary range: Salary commensurate with experience
Anticipated start: July 1, 2022

Position description

The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law seeks applicants for a full-time position to serve as the Associate Director of Berkeley Law’s Environmental Law Clinic (ELC).

This is an open rank search and the finalist may be appointed as Assistant Clinical Professor of Law (Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment) or Clinical Professor of Law (Lecturer with Security of Employment). This faculty position entails membership in the Academic Senate with rights and responsibilities that are comparable to the standard professorial track, but with an emphasis on legal clinic teaching, professional competence and activity, research and creative work, and University and public service.

ELC is a multi-tool advocacy clinic that focuses on environmental health and environmental justice. In our clinic, we train students to be creative problem-solvers by engaging them in a combination of investigation, litigation, legislative drafting, regulatory advocacy, and strategy advising to further our clients’ goals. In our companion seminar, we probe the systemic forces (including racial, economic, and gendered injustices) that shape current environmental laws, and strategize about high-leverage avenues for reform. Additionally, in both clinic projects and seminar, we probe the role of media in framing/reframing narratives to effectuate client goals. This includes training students in writing op eds, and working with clients on media campaigns.

Our current docket addresses air pollution from a local factory; California’s siting of locally unwanted land uses in disadvantaged communities; the need to include Native voices and priorities in plans for a decarbonized energy future; addressing toxic pollution in drinking water; and expanding rooftop solar energy in low-income communities.

The Associate Director will work with the Director to plan, develop, and manage the clinic’s docket and operations; to develop and supervise legal and policy projects for the clinic, and complementary media strategy; and to fulfill service as a member of the full-time faculty, such as by participating in law school committees.

As a clinical faculty member, the Associate Director will co-teach the clinical companion seminar, and will be responsible for co-supervising other clinic staff who teach ELC students. The Associate Director will teach students substantive law and policy skills, including how to interview clients and experts (including academics), craft effective public records requests, conduct legal analysis, consult stakeholders (such as community members, advocacy organizations, and public officials) and Native Tribes, and support our clients in broader coalitions and reform campaigns.

The Associate Director will closely supervise students as they complete written assignments on behalf of clients, whether confidential (e.g., legal, policy, and strategy memos) or public-facing (e.g., litigation briefs and reports).

Candidates must have strong academic credentials, substantial practice experience, administrative ability, and a background in advocacy with a racial or economic dimension. Teaching or legal-supervisory experience is desired but not required. The candidate should also have demonstrated potential for research and writing on law, policy, or the profession, and for teaching, supervising, and mentoring law students. Additional materials may be requested from finalists.

Berkeley Law encourages applications from candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching, research, and service. We recognize that a diverse workforce is essential for maintaining legitimacy as a public university dedicated to serving the needs of our increasingly diverse state. Berkeley Law is committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples and single parents. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit http://ofew.berkeley.edu/new-faculty.

Berkeley Law seeks candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in all facets of higher education. ELC is committed to building an equitable and inclusive staff to teach and work in a multicultural and antiracist learning environment. Qualified members of historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants need not have attended an elite institution; need not have published academic scholarship to date; and need not have a formal academic research agenda. Preferred candidates must have the skills and interest to produce original creative work (such as law review articles, peer-reviewed articles, or advocacy reports) in addition to clinic work product.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must hold a J.D. degree or international equivalent; be admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Preferred qualifications

Membership in California bar, or be willing to sit for the California bar within one year of appointment. Preferred candidates would have at least 5 years of legal practice experience. Judicial clerkships count towards this requirement.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae

  • Cover Letter - A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position, and what you have to offer.

  • Legal Writing Sample

  • Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley (for additional information go to https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity).

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Letters of reference need not be sent now, but references may be contacted for candidates under serious consideration. References may be contacted by phone and in writing. The committee will notify candidates in advance of reaching out to references.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03252

Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, CA