Description:

The Office of the University Counsel seeks applications for a Higher Education Law fellow. The Office of University Counsel provides legal representation to the Rector and Visitors of A Public Research University in Charlottesville, Virginia in all legal and regulatory matters and provides advice and counsel to the Board of Visitors, the President, executive officers, and other administrators, faculty, and staff in their official capacities.

University Counsel engages in the active preventative practice of law, helps facilitate the accomplishment of larger institutional objectives, and aggressively advocates the University's position in all administrative, state and federal litigation, and/or closely monitors efforts of the Virginia Attorney General's Office and appointed special counsel.

The Fellow will be assigned research, writing, and other projects arising in many of the substantive subject matter areas handled by the Office, including legal matters concerning constitutional issues, athletics, employment, education, civil rights, research, governance, transactions, compliance, intellectual property, information technology, privacy, health care, medical malpractice, litigation, Virginia Freedom of Information Act, government relations, and regulatory matters.

The fellow will support multiple attorneys in the Office of University Counsel with research, writing and other projects while under direct supervision of University Counsel. The Office will make every effort to provide opportunities for the Higher Education Law Fellow to attend meetings, meet with clients, and otherwise to participate in the full range of legal activities of the Office and the University.

Responsibilities will include:

Assessment of new cases, regulations (both state and federal) and cutting-edge legal issues in higher education.
Ability to work with counsel and high-level clients exercising confidentiality and legal assessment capabilities.
Ability to learn to formulate and communicate legal advice in a timely and competent manner.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have applied for admission to the Virginia bar, with the goal of admission by December of their fellowship year.
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school with a record of strong academic achievement is required.
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.