CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applications for a full-time staff attorney/lecturer position. This is a 12-month grant-funded position, potentially renewable based on Initiative needs and funding.
As the only legal hub in Ohio focused on reproductive rights and the only reproductive-rights center based at a law school outside the East and West Coasts, the CWRU Reproductive Rights Law Initiative works to preserve and advance the legal right of all Ohioans to make their own reproductive decisions. The Reproductive Rights Law Initiative advances its mission through litigating, often in partnership with other reproductive rights and justice groups; educating members of the reproductive rights community and the public; and offering legal support to reproductive health care providers and advocacy organizations. The Reproductive Rights Law Initiative also aims to build an intellectual infrastructure for creating enduring protections for reproductive autonomy in the future, and to train and inspire the next generation of reproductive rights lawyers and advocates.
We seek candidates with distinguished academic records, significant practice experience, and excellent written and oral communication skills to work on cutting-edge litigation and compliance counseling in the area of reproductive rights. Experience teaching or supervising students in a legal setting is a plus. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to reproductive rights and justice and a deep familiarity with constitutional or civil rights litigation. The Staff Attorney/Lecturer will be expected to handle cases in a variety of legal settings, including state and federal court and administrative agencies, as well as perform legal research and communicate with stakeholders.
The primary role of the Staff Attorney/Lecturer is to engage in direct client representation and to provide supervision and training for law students who will perform legal research and writing to support the Initiative’s legal work. The Staff Attorney/Lecturer will also work with the Reproductive Rights Fellow on legal research and litigation. The successful candidate will engage in activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Provide direct representation to clients in constitutional challenges to legal restrictions on reproductive rights and in defending against legal attacks.
● Provide supervision and training for law students performing legal research and writing to support the Initiative’s work, including through the Reproductive Rights Lab.
● Conduct legal research, writing, and analysis to advance the Intiative’s legal, policy, and advocacy work.
● Attend regular meetings with the Faculty Director, Reproductive Rights Fellow, Program Manager, students, and/or external partners.
● Represent the Initiative in public-facing meetings, lectures, and other events as requested.
The Staff Attorney/Lecturer will join the CWRU Law School faculty and will work closely with the Director of the Reproductive Rights Law Inititiative and the Reproductive Rights Fellow. Significant remote work is possible, but the Staff Attorney must be able to be present, in person, in Cleveland and throughout Ohio when needed. Some weekend and evening work will be required.
Further information about the law school is available at http://law.case.edu.
Qualifications
Mandatory qualifications:
● A JD degree from an approved, ABA-accredited school, with a record of high academic achievement;
● Admission to the Ohio bar or ability to waive into the jurisdiction;
● At least three years of practice experience in a relevant legal area;
● Strong commitment to reproductive rights and justice
● Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills;
● Aptitude with Google applications, Microsoft Office, and Zoom; willingness to learn new applications to improve communications and efficiency.
Preferred qualifications:
● Law school teaching experience;
● Experience in constitutional and/or civil rights litigation and knowledge of reproductive rights law;
● A creative, intersectional approach to reproductive rights and justice advocacy and litigation;
● Familiarity with, and commitment to, Ohio and the Midwest region.
Application Instructions
All application materials should be uploaded via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/126114. Candidates should provide a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample (such as a memo, brief, motion, or other legal document that you primarily authored).
Case Western Reserve University strives to maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment. All applicants are protected under Federal law from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age and genetics.
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 or equity@case.edu to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.