Immigration Law Fellowship
About The Position
Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), the Vermont Bar Foundation, Trout Lily Foundation, and the Vermont Access to Justice Coalition offer a three-year Immigration Law Fellowship running from 2026 to 2029. The fellow will work within the Center for Justice Reform Clinic (CJRC), one of Vermont’s immigration legal service providers, helping address immigration-related barriers to justice and expand the reach of existing immigration and related legal services. The role is full-time, exempt, 40 hours per week, on campus, with a salary of $60,000–$70,000 per year. The precise start date is flexible, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The fellow will integrate into the CJRC’s educational and legal services programs, provide legal services to noncitizen clients, and develop projects to improve access to justice for low-income noncitizen Vermonters. The fellow will collaborate with legal and lay advocates and regional partners, promote public awareness of available services and remedies, publicize fellowship activities, and participate in continuing legal education activities. The CJRC conducts much of its case activity from downtown Burlington offices, while clinical teaching and student supervision take place on the South Royalton campus. Some regional travel and occasional attendance at events or meetings outside traditional business hours, overnight, or on weekends may be required. VLGS is located in South Royalton, Vermont. The position reports to the Director of the Center for Justice Reform Clinic. The application requires an online application, cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references.
Requirements
- Have 1–4 years of relevant legal experience.
- Be admitted to the Vermont Bar, be eligible to waive into licensure, or be willing to sit for the Vermont Bar examination.
- Demonstrate commitment to restorative justice, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, and public interest lawyering.
- Have writing, editing, organizational, and managerial skills.
- Have excellent academic credentials and outstanding interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Have legal services or civil rights work experience.
- Be proficient in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft 365 applications.
- Be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school.
- Have access to a personal vehicle for required regional travel.
- Be able to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.
- Be able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Nice To Haves
- Multilingual language skills are strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Integrate into the Center for Justice Reform Clinic’s educational and legal services programs, including delivering legal services to noncitizen clients.
- Develop and deliver one or more projects aimed at broadly improving access to justice for low-income noncitizen Vermonters.
- Collaborate with legal and lay advocates from Vermont Law and Graduate School, Vermont Legal Aid, and other regional partners to advance fellowship projects and increase public awareness of available legal services and remedies.
- Work with the Vermont Bar Foundation to publicize fellowship activities and participate in continuing legal education activities.
Benefits
- Full benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 403(b) plan with a 4% employer contribution.
- Two weeks of paid vacation, in addition to paid personal and sick days.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Two weeks of paid days off for Summer and Winter breaks.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- VLGS course participation with tuition assistance.
- Potential for a flexible schedule.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
