Clinical Fellow, Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice

PSRJ & Democracy Initiative Clinical FellowThe Information Society Project at Yale Law School is now accepting applications for a Clinical Fellow with the ISP’s Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice (PSRJ) and Democracy Initiative. The position is a two-year appointment. The PSRJ Fellow will assume responsibility for supporting PSRJ and the Democracy Initiative and will assist with the work of Gender and Reproductive Justice legal clinic (GRJC). This position is based at Yale Law School in New Haven, CT. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be eligible for remote work. Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and will include Yale University’s excellent health benefits. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.About PSRJ and the GRLC legal clinicThe Yale Law School Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice (“PSRJ”) is a non-partisan academic hub for advocates, policymakers, and academics that incubates and implements novel litigation and policy strategies, provides expert guidance, and trains the next generations of scholars and advocates.Established in 2008, PSRJ is a nationally recognized center for academic research and the development of legal arguments to protect reproductive and LGBTQ rights. We: 1) train the next generation of reproductive health and LGBTQ advocates; 2) fill movement gaps in litigation, legal policy research, and academic research; 3) foster communication between the academic and advocacy communities; and 4) counter antidemocratic attacks on reproductive rights through our Democracy Initiative. Housed at one of the nation’s premier academic institutions, we are leaders in training the next generation of legal scholars and advocates. Recognized as thought leaders in both the academic and advocacy community, we foster communication and collaboration across groups and issues through symposia, conferences, and public series, while also providing non-partisan advice and guidance to governmental organizations and advocacy leaders. The Gender and Reproductive Justice legal clinic is an initiative of PSRJ that teaches litigation and policy advocacy skills in an area of the law under siege, trains the next generation, and puts PSRJ’s strategies to work.The Information Society Project is led by Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment Jack Balkin and ISP Executive Director Chinmayi Arun. PSRJ is led by Clinical Lecturer and Senior Fellow Priscilla J. Smith, a former reproductive rights litigator and Clinical Lecturer and Senior Fellow Genevieve Scott, a reproductive rights litigator and policy advisor.About the PositionPSRJ seeks a candidate with exposure to reproductive rights, LGBTQ and/or democracy policy and litigation. The ideal candidate will have an academic background in these areas, a history of activism, and an interest in working with the PSRJ and Democracy Initiative Directors, YLS scholars, and YLS students enrolled in the Gender and Reproductive Justice clinic and introductory and advanced seminars. Litigation experience is required.The duties of the Clinical Fellow include:Assisting in developing and implementing new litigation, policy strategies, and legal theories. The Clinical Fellow will conduct this research under the direction of the PSRJ Directors and will often collaborate with faculty members and attorneys from cooperating organizations. Assist in working on selected cases on the PSRJ docket and supervising Yale Law School students in the Clinic.Assisting with substantive and skill-based classes as part of the Clinic’s weekly introductory and advanced seminars.Supervising summer law student interns at the Clinic and covering Clinic cases during semester breaks.Coordinating symposia and conferences. Engaging in the scholarly activities of the ISP, which include regular academic lunches, workshops, conferences, and talksThe candidate must have:Two years of relevant litigation experience, including some demonstrated interest in the reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, protecting democracy or similar areas. Admission to at least one state bar. Excellent legal research and writing skills.An exceptional ability to work with others, including students, staff, clients, and outside counsel.Excellent communication skills. The ability to juggle multiple projects and work under pressure to meet deadlines.  Experience litigating and ideally supervising law students or more junior attorneys.ApplicationsApplications should be sent in electronic form to Heather Branch (heather.branch@yale.edu). Please indicate clearly that the application is for the Program for the Study of Reproductive Justice Clinical Fellowship position. Application materials should include:A cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in the position, relevant practice experience, and career goals;A copy of the applicant’s resume and law school transcript;Contact information for three references; andAt least one sample of recent legal writing, either a brief or memorandum, or a piece of academic writing, that demonstrates sophisticated and creative legal reasoning.Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. For additional information please click here.Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.