Civil Advocacy Teaching Fellow

Civil Advocacy Teaching Fellow

Two-Year, Fixed-Length Appointment

The University of Maine School of Law is seeking to hire a Teaching Fellow focused on Civil Advocacy in the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic. As a Teaching Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to supervise law students, conduct outreach, and provide legal services to underserved communities in Maine. This position offers a valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in public interest law. The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, although based in Portland, Maine, serves individuals throughout the state of Maine, in a variety of clinical programs. The Teaching Fellow will supervise the work of the student attorneys in direct representation and outreach projects, handle matters related to the day-to-day administration of the Clinics and its cases and projects, and assume primary supervision, and in some cases primary responsibility, for cases and projects. The two clinics that the Teaching Fellow will primarily support are the Prisoner Assistance Clinic and the General Practice Clinic.

The Prisoner Assistance Clinic is the only legal aid program in Maine that provides pro bono legal assistance to incarcerated people in their civil legal matters. Student attorneys visit client's weekly at the Maine Correctional Center and Southern Maine Women's Reentry Center and provide remote assistance to residents of correctional facilities in Maine. More than half of the matters involve family law, such as divorce, parental rights, and child support. Student attorneys  also assist residents with legal matters concerning taxes, housing, and probate. One primary responsibility of the Teaching Fellow will be developing an outreach program targeted at residents in correctional facilities throughout Maine.

The General Practice Clinic primarily provides full representation in a wide range of civil matters including to clients with family law matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, minor guardianship, or parental rights. Other areas of civil legal services include matters concerning education law, public benefits, consumer law, administrative appeals, housing, small claims, probate, immigrant youth, and powers of attorney.

The Associate Professor and Director of the Prisoner Assistance Clinic, will provide supervision to the student attorneys and the Teaching Fellow. As a member of Maine Law's Clinic team, the Teaching Fellow must be deeply committed to teaching the next generation of law students through supervision of cases and projects and be committed to the social justice mission of Maine Law's clinical programs. The Teaching Fellow must also be deeply committed to promoting a culture of collaboration, inclusion, belonging, excellence, and continual improvement.

This is a 24-month, non-faculty professional staff position. Funding is secured through January 2026.  The start date is flexible, but will ideally be in early January 2024.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the annual salary range is $75,000 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America's Well Workplace Award and offers a wellness program.

Review of applications begins immediately.  For full consideration, materials must be submitted by December 15, 2023.

Click here to review the complete job description.

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) unites six distinctive public universities, comprising 10 campuses and numerous centers, in the common purpose of providing quality higher education while delivering on its traditional tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service. A comprehensive public institution of higher education, UMS serves more than 30,000 students annually and is supported by the efforts of more than 2,000 faculty, more than 3,000 staff, and a complement of adjunct faculty. Reaching more than 500,000 people annually through educational and cultural offerings, the University of Maine System also benefits from more than two-thirds of its alumni population residing within the state; more than 123,000 individuals. The System consists of six universities: The University of Maine (UMaine), including its regional campus the University of Maine at Machias (UMM); the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA); the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF); the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI); and the University of Southern Maine (USM). The System also includes the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center.  

The University of Maine School of Law is the state's public and only law school, a vital resource serving our local, regional, national, and global community. Maine Law is an institutional public servant committed to providing an accessible and affordable student-focused program of legal education and achieving the highest standards of ethical behavior. Our rigorous doctrinal and experiential curriculum, influential scholarship, and signature programming prepare students to practice law, promote respect for the rule of law, and advance justice for all members of society.

The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, established in 1970 as a program of the University of Maine School of Law, is the umbrella organization housing five distinct live-client clinics. The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic operates as a public interest law office within Maine Law in which clients are represented by "student attorneys," law students specially licensed by the state and federal courts to provide legal services to low-income clients. The student attorneys practice under the supervision of fully-licensed law faculty members.

The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic provides free legal aid to low-income individuals and families in Maine. The Clinic is a defining program of Maine Law, providing practical skills training for students, and helping fulfill the school's long-standing commitment to social justice. The Clinic is currently divided into five programs: General Practice, Prisoner Assistance, Youth Justice, Refugee and Human Rights, and Rural Practice. Students in all of those areas also participate in the Protection from Abuse Program, representing victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment to serve clients, students, and the community.
• Possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law, with Maine bar license or eligibility to obtain one.
• Civil law practice experience (1-3 years preferred).
• A strong academic record.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to experiential learning and access to justice.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of professional life.

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create an applicant profile and complete an application which includes contact information for three references and upload:

1) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position 
2) a resume/curriculum vitae
 

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5713, 207-581-1226.  TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).