Director, LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic and Clinical Instructor

Harvard University • Boston, MA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School seeks to hire a director to lead the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic. Launched in 2020, the Clinic provides students with opportunities to develop lawyering and advocacy skills that respond to the unmet legal needs of LGBTQ+ communities. The substance of the docket is flexible and will be shaped by the director’s vision for the Clinic. The Clinic is one of the six community-based clinics that comprise the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School. Consistent with the Legal Services Center’s longstanding public interest legal practice and pedagogical models, the Clinic’s docket should include community-based direct legal services, with an option to incorporate systemic reform lawyering, whether through impact litigation or otherwise. The director will also hold the title of clinical instructor. In addition to leading the Clinic’s advocacy and experiential learning opportunities, the director will develop a classroom curriculum for students enrolled in the clinic. The director will join the Legal Services Center’s and Harvard Law School’s collaborative clinical communities, which provide numerous opportunities for connection, partnership, and innovation.

Requirements

• J.D.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience
• If not already admitted in Massachusetts, be admitted to the bar of any other state and be able to waive into the Massachusetts bar within 18 months of hiring.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ communities
• Significant litigation experience
• Passion for teaching and mentoring
• Experience or an interest in clinical education
• Experience leading programs or projects
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit

Responsibilities

• Set a vision for the Clinic’s legal advocacy and learning environment
• Lead and manage the Clinic
• Develop and oversee the Clinic’s docket
• Serve as lead counsel in Clinic cases
• Engage with community-based organizations, LGBTQ+ legal advocacy organizations, and other partners for the purposes of, and as appropriate, co-counseling cases, maintaining client referral streams, and fostering opportunities for students to engage directly with client communities
• Using best practices in clinical pedagogy, train, supervise, and mentor clinical law students in their representation of Clinic clients
• Develop the curriculum for the clinical seminar that is a co-requisite of the Clinic
• Lead and manage the Clinic’s efforts related to student outreach and engagement with the wider Harvard Law School community
• Ensure Clinic compliance with Harvard Law School and Legal Services Center clinical policies
• Actively participate in and contribute to the Legal Services Center clinical community
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree