THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW Clinical Fellows Program seeks applicants for a fellowship in its Michigan Innocence Clinic. This is a two-year appointment with the possibility of extension for a third year.
The Clinical Fellows Program is designed to allow attorneys to explore the possibility of a career in clinical teaching and fully support them in that endeavor. Michigan Clinical Fellows gain valuable experience and mentoring in clinical pedagogy and in their substantive area of practice. Their duties include clinical teaching and student supervision in conjunction with a clinic director, and participation in the operation and development of the clinic in which they teach. Support is provided for professional development and scholarship.
The Michigan Innocence Clinic works to exonerate actually innocent criminal defendants who have been convicted in state or federal court in Michigan. The Clinic primarily works on cases where there is no DNA to test, and so the work of the Clinic largely involves finding new witnesses, searching for suppressed evidence, and challenging discredited or outdated forensic science. The Clinic opened in 2009 and has so far freed 15 men and 3 women who had collectively served over 250 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.
The successful applicant will have a strong interest in clinical teaching, experience in appellate advocacy and legal writing, a demonstrated commitment to public interest lawyering, and potential for scholarship and success as a clinical teacher. Experience with criminal litigation and/or innocence work is strongly preferred. Candidates must hold a J.D. degree and be eligible for licensure in Michigan. Michigan’s Clinical Fellows salaries and benefits are very competitive. The fellowship will begin during the late summer or fall of 2018, depending on the availability of the successful candidate.
Questions can be directed to Associate Dean Debra Chopp at dchopp@umich.edu or 734-763-1948. We will begin reviewing applications on July 16th and will accept them until the position is filled. Applicants should send a letter of interest and résumé to:
John W. Lemmer
Experiential Education Business Administrator
The University of Michigan Law School
701 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
jwlemmer@umich.edu
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer.