Director, Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability

Description

The Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ) is a center of the Yale School of the Environment (YSE), Yale Law School (YLS), and the Yale Center for Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration (RITM).  YCEJ seeks a dynamic and experienced Clinical Director to lead a Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability. This Clinic will span multiple law schools, private law firms, and other affiliated organizations with YCEJ serving as the coordinating entity.  The Clinic’s goal is to provide critical advice, legal advocacy, and connect legal representation to environmental justice and indigenous organizations facing organizational challenges.

The Director will lead this multi-party, collaborative clinic and be responsible, with the faculty and executive leadership of the Yale Center for Environmental Justice and a governing board constituted of law firms, other law schools, and NGOs for the strategic direction, supervision, and execution of the Clinic’s legal work and the training and mentorship of law students. The Director will be jointly appointed as an Associate Research Scholar in the Yale School of the Environment and in the Yale Law School. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal.  This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of environmental justice lawyering and scholarship within a leading academic institution.

Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Leadership and Supervision:
   Lead the Clinic's strategic direction and casework in alignment with YCEJ's mission.  Supervise and mentor law students, manage case selection and legal strategy, and provide direct representation in complex environmental justice matters.
2. Case Development and Advocacy:
   Develop impactful cases with community partners, support nonprofits with legal guidance, conduct advocacy research, prepresent clients in administrative proceedings, and build strong stakeholder relationships.
3. Teaching and Curriculum Development:
   Design and teach the Clinic seminar on organizational and transactional law, ethics, and practical skills.  Update the curriculum to reflect legal developments and engage in the broader academic life of Yale Law School, School of the Environment, and YCEJ.
4. Program Administration and Development:
   Oversee the Clinic's budget, evaluation, and fundraising efforts, and collaborate with YCEJ director to advance shared goals.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in Connecticut or willingness to obtain admission
• Minimum of three to five years of significant experience in organizations and transactions law supporting advocacy groups
• Experience in clinical legal education or a strong interest in teaching and mentoring law students.
• Strong legal, comunication, and advocacy skills; effective multitasker with experience in fundraising and working with stakeholders.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and a list of three references directly to Interfolio.  For questions about the position, please contact Michel Gelobter, Executive Director for the Yale Center of Environmental Justice (michel.gelobter@yale.edu).

The starting salary range is $105,000-$130,000/year, and the successful candidate will be eligible for Yale’s employee benefits package that includes health, retirement, and other benefits, as well as access to university facilities. Full-time, in-person role based in New Haven, Connecticut, starting as soon as filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.  In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.