A national leader in experiential and interdisciplinary legal education, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most innovative and ascendant law schools. The law school features an outstanding and diverse student body, a community of nationally recognized scholar-teachers, an accomplished and highly professional staff, and roughly 17,000 alumni who have achieved careers of distinction in law, business, government, public interest, and other professional domains. Located in a beautiful and economically vibrant metropolitan area, the Sturm College of Law supports a full-time JD program, a part-time weekend JD program, a range of pioneering Master’s programs, and a set of esteemed specialty programs – including an internationally recognized Animal Law Program.
Position Summary
Unique among initiatives in the field of animal law at U.S. law schools, the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project (“Project”) seeks to advance innovative legal, organizational, communications, and research strategies designed to (1) provide animal activists with high-caliber legal representation in rapidly evolving areas of law; (2) amplify the impact of those who bear witness to the suffering of non-human animals; and (3) foster a more effective and inclusive animal protection movement.
Essential Functions
- Client Representation: Under the supervision of the Project’s Staff Attorney, the Fellow will represent animal activists in high-profile and cutting-edge cases, with a particular emphasis on innovative and effective strategies in the realm of criminal defense.
- Activities are likely to include meeting with clients; coordinating on litigation strategy; researching, writing, and arguing pre-trial motions; and representing activists at trial.
- Student Training: In association with the Staff Attorney and other members of the Project, the Fellow will work with students who are enrolled in the Project to advance their legal knowledge and skills.
- External Engagement: The Fellow will forge connections with individuals and organizations within the animal protection movement and other social justice movements, including, without limitation, with respect to the legal considerations of their potential activism.
- Scholarship: With the support of the Director of the Animal Law Program and other members of the Sturm College of Law faculty, the Fellow will have the opportunity to produce legal scholarship in the realms of animal law, criminal law, and/or movement lawyering.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Strong and creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills
- The ability to listen to diverse viewpoints, incorporate differing perspectives, and forge consensus
- A high degree of professionalism
- The ability to work with a range of diverse constituencies
- The ability to function in a high-paced, collaborative work environment
Required Qualifications
- A JD or equivalent law degree
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Outstanding judgment, integrity, dependability, and professionalism
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with the fields of animal law and criminal law
Working Environment
1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:00pm
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 19, 2023.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 11.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $75,000 – $80,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement .
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: July 05, 2023
Applications close: