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Form of workThe Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (State System), was created pursuant to Act 188 of 1982, as amended, and contains 10 Universities located throughout the Commonwealth. The State System's Office of Legal Counsel provides legal services to the State System and its Universities. The Office of Legal Counsel is led by the Chief Counsel and employs a number of University Legal Counsel (ULC). The Office has established the position of Legal Fellow to assist the Chief Counsel and the ULC in serving the State System and its Universities.
The Legal Fellow position is a one-year position, with the option for a second year when it is mutually beneficial for both the Office of Legal Counsel and the Legal Fellow.
The Legal Fellow will perform entry-level professional legal work to support the Chief Counsel and ULC. The position is designed to provide important service to the attorneys who serve the State System and its Universities, while simultaneously providing the Fellow with valuable experience and skills in the practice of higher education law.
Responsibilities
The Legal Fellow will perform routine legal work and assist attorneys in the performance of varied legal assignments. Generally, the work will involve conducting legal research; drafting legal documents; reviewing documents; keeping and maintaining legal files; and performing other tasks as needed. Some specific examples of work include the following:
- Conducting legal research on a range of topics.
- Reviewing, summarizing, and reporting on legal developments in higher education.
- Conducting online research on various matters.
- Drafting legal documents, including: memoranda; correspondence; portions of briefs and pleadings for court matters; and position statements in administrative agency matters.
- Reviewing documents for litigation and Right-to-Know Law requests.
- Reviewing contracts for compliance with legal requirements.
- Organizing and maintaining legal files.
In addition, the Legal Fellow will participate in the Office's regular staff meetings, during which a wide range of legal and administrative issues are discussed among the Chief Counsel and all ULC. The expectation also is that the Legal Fellow will be invited to participate in meetings involving ULC and State System and University clients.
The position is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with the potential to be partially remote. Successful candidate should be a resident of Pennsylvania as occasional travel to the office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania may be required.Minimum Qualifications
The Legal Fellow must have graduated from an accredited U.S. law school no later than May 31, 2024. Bar admission at the time of application is not required. However, it is expected that the Legal Fellow will be licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania or taking steps to become licensed in Pennsylvania by passing the bar exam within the first six months of employment. The Legal Fellow position is designed as an entry-level position. Thus, the expectation is that candidates will have two years or less of experience after law school graduation. Judicial clerkships will not be counted against that experience maximum.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Is a strong writer: this includes both legal writing and general writing.
- Possesses strong research skills, both legal research and research of non-legal online resources.
- Understands how to apply legal principles to individual cases or problems.
- Has the ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
- Analyzes facts, evidence, and precedents and arrives at logical conclusions.
- Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Acts professionally at all times.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time, but flexible during preparation for bar exam
For consideration, please submit cover letter, resume, writing sample and transcript.Supplemental Information
Please note, this position is with the Office of the Chancellor at the PA State System of Higher Ed, not Kutztown University. KUHR is only providing HR administration for this search.
Applications & Resumes will be accepted until position is filled, however; to ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than end of day March 11, 2024
All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application/resume system ONLY. Please do not fax, mail, or e-mail any documentation.
Successful interview, reference checks, background clearances (PA Criminal, Child Abuse Clearance & FBI Clearance), and demonstration of ability are requisite qualifications for all positions.
The University is very interested in hiring employees who have had extensive experience with diverse populations.
Kutztown University is an AA/EOE/member of the PA State System of Higher Education and actively solicits applications from women and minority candidates.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the University's Title IX Coordinator located in the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by e-mail at pena@kutztown.edu or the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by e-mail at OCR@ed.gov
