Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, through its Education and Health Law Clinic, is seeking an attorney to serve as a Clinical Law Fellow in our medical-legal-social work partnership with the Outpatient Pediatrics Department of Pediatrics at Rutgers-N.J. Medical School. The partnership, known as H.E.A.L. Collaborative (Health, Education, Advocacy & Law), aims to reduce the adverse effects of poverty on child and family health and well-being in Greater Newark by: (1) Providing free legal and social work case management services to indigent families of children with disabilities to address their educational, developmental and health needs; (2) educating front-line health and medical professionals on identification of social issues that adversely affect child health and family well-being and methods for resolving these issues without resort to legal involvement; and (3) enhancing the educational experiences, professional development, knowledge and skills of those studying and/or working in the fields of law, medicine and social work through collaboration in a multi-disciplinary setting.

The fellowship is for a two-year period. The Fellow will be directly supervised by H.E.A.L.'s Legal Director, and will work collaboratively with the Legal and Medical Directors and medical/health/law/social work professionals and students. Responsibilities include:

• Interviewing parents/caregivers of children with disabilities who are experiencing social and legal problems and triaging the issues presented;
• Providing advice, consultation and direct legal representation to parents/caregivers on behalf of their children in the areas of special education, guardianship, and public benefits;
• Collaborating and consulting with medical staff on cases, as appropriate, and overall program development;
• Organizing and conducting/participating in cross-training sessions on topics relevant to the collaborative work; and
• Assisting in all aspects of program implementation, development and networking.

The Fellow will be based half-time at the medical school and half-time at the law school. The ideal candidate will have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey; 1-3 years relevant legal experience; excellent oral and written advocacy skills; a background in and/or knowledge of New Jersey’s special education and/or public benefits systems, relevant laws and regulations, and the administrative law process; and an interest in and demonstrated commitment to advocating on behalf of low-income children and families.  The ideal candidate must be a self-starter and team player. Prior interdisciplinary work experience, joint degree in a related field, and/or Spanish language proficiency are a plus but not required.

Salary will be commensurate with other post-graduate public interest fellowships and will include benefits.  Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Rosen Valverde, Clinical Professor of Law and Legal Director, H.E.A.L. Collaborative, at jvalverde@kinoy.rutgers.edu by no later than June 15, 2015.

Rutgers University is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. Applications from women, minorities, and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged.  Rutgers is an EEO/AA employer.