Law Fellow

Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

2d

About The Position

The Vanderbilt University Office of the General Counsel is seeking to hire a recent law school graduate (Class of 2026 or recently completed a clerkship) as a full-time Law Fellow. This position is available for a one-year term beginning in Fall (Aug/Sept) 2026 with the possibility for a one-year extension and does not lead to continuing employment. The position is paid and benefits eligible. The position may also qualify for law firm bonus and/or advanced standing (depending on law firm and office), and/or Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
The fellowship will provide an excellent opportunity to develop legal research and writing skills and will expose the Fellow to a broad variety of legal fields including education law, federal and state regulation, commercial and corporate law, intellectual property law, employment and student affairs, and litigation, all within the context of a major not-for-profit research university. Work will include legal and fact research; the drafting of memoranda, contracts, correspondence, and other legal documents; and other tasks such as reviewing investigatory documents, drafting and applying university policies, and providing advice to various university employees and departments under the supervision of and with feedback from the office’s attorneys. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to assist the General Counsel and other attorneys on special projects. The fellowship will challenge the fellow to exercise and strengthen independent judgment and creativity while collaborating closely with a team of subject-matter experts to address complex and novel issues facing the university. The fellowship will also develop the Fellow’s oral communication skills through regular coordination with a wide range of stakeholders, requiring clear, thoughtful, and effective communication.
Strong academic credentials and excellent oral and written communication skills are important qualifications for this position.
About Vanderbilt University:
From its founding in 1873 as an institution devoted to “strengthening the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country,” Vanderbilt University has forged a tradition of academic excellence infused with a unique spirit of collaboration and collegiality. Our mission lies in the quest to bring out the best in humanity—pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery, challenging the limits of what’s possible and working diligently in the service of others. Vanderbilt’s closely connected park-like campus, set in the heart of the rapidly growing city of Nashville, Tennessee, is representative of the enduring bonds that unite us as One Vanderbilt community.
About the Department:
As part of the Office of the General Counsel, the Legal team provides timely and responsive legal advice to support Vanderbilt’s goals in research and education. The Office advises all Vanderbilt University departments in areas covering contracts, intellectual property, taxation, business matters, and student- and personnel-related issues. The Office of the General Counsel manages all litigation proceeding on behalf of the university. In addition, the University Compliance Services, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, and Risk & Insurance Management teams report to the General Counsel.

Requirements

• New law school graduate (Class of 2026), or recently completed a clerkship
• Interest in learning about higher education and related legal services
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• The ability to handle urgent and sensitive issues in a timely and ethical manner
• Proficiency in basic and common technology, including the Microsoft Office suite
• J.D. is required with a preferred 3.5 GPA or above, where applicable
• Licensed to practice law in Tennessee or Tennessee licensure pending (already taken or planning to take the Tennessee Bar Exam in July 2026)
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. during the fellowship; employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role

Responsibilities

• Draft, edit, and review various legal documents such as contracts, memoranda, correspondence, policies, and procedures
• Conduct legal and factual research on various matters, addressing a wide array of issues relevant to higher education
• Attend and report back on university meetings on topics of special interest
• Assist in managing matters in various stages of litigation with both internal supervising attorneys and external legal counsel
• Complete additional special projects as assigned by supervising attorneys

What This Job Offers

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