Clinical Fellow

Description:

Department: Law Legal Clinic
Salary/Grade: RES/

Job Summary:
The Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law invites applications for the 2026-2027 Michael and Mary Schuette Clinical Fellowship in Health and Human Rights. The Schuette Clinical Fellow will assist with teaching, training, and supervising law students in Northwestern's Access to Health (AtH) Project, directed by Professor Sarah Dorman. The AtH Project sits within the Bluhm Clinic's Center for International Human Rights (CIHR), directed by Professor Motaparthy, and the Fellow is also expected to support the broader mandate of the CIHR as needed.

The Access to Health Project is an award-winning interdisciplinary health and human rights project in which students and faculty from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, the Kellogg School of Management, and the Feinberg School of Medicine collaborate with underserved communities in different parts of the world to develop and implement targeted, sustainable approaches to defend and promote the right to health. This year, the AtH Project will involve a focus on the intersection between global health, human rights, and environmental justice.

Through the generosity of Chris Combe and Christina Combe, the Schuette Clinical Fellows in Health and Human Rights have worked since 2015 on human rights initiatives related to global health and sustainable development in support of the AtH Project's community-based partnerships around the world.

During the spring semester, the Schuette Clinical Fellow will support the Health and Human Rights interdisciplinary course and co-supervise projects that students will carry out in close collaboration with community and non-profit partners. In the fall semester, the Fellow will support the AtH Project's ongoing work by co-supervising students in the CIHR's International Human Rights Clinic. Under faculty supervision, the Fellow will be responsible for developing clinical and experiential projects and maintaining project work; working closely with faculty to review student work product and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback; and carrying out a range of substantive and administrative duties to ensure the smooth functioning of the AtH Project. The fellow is also expected to support the mandate of the CIHR, including by planning or supporting events and student programming, mentoring and advising students, and contributing to CIHR administrative processes and public communications.

The Schuette Clinical Fellowship is full-time position based in Chicago. It is expected to begin in July 2026 and continue for 12 months. Depending on the availability of funding and other factors, it may be possible to extend the Fellowship for one additional year. The Fellowship will likely require international travel in support of the AtH Project.

The candidate is expected to begin work on or around July 1, 2026. To apply, candidates must submit: a current CV; a letter of interest of no more than 2 pages addressing any prior work or collaborations with underserved communities, any prior teaching or instructional experience, and any clinical projects or non-profit partnerships they might bring to this role; a recent writing sample of no more than 10 pages; and a list of 3 academic or professional references.

Please note: International travel with students is required for this role.

Specific Responsibilities:
Project and Student Supervision

• Co-supervises and manages student projects within the CIHR's Access to Health (AtH) Project.
• Develops clinical and experiential projects and maintains project work under faculty supervision
• Liaises with partners, clients, and other external organizations on projects
• Facilitates logistics and substance of internal and external project communications (e.g., calendar invites, reminders, drafting agendas, leading calls or meetings, taking notes, following up on action items)
• Leads or co-leads weekly student supervision meetings with AtH Project faculty
• Reviews student work product, including advocacy submissions, fact-finding reports, legal or advisory memos, and other student work, and provides constructive feedback
• Conducts research, drafts, and finalizes work product related to the AtH Project's matters (e.g., advocacy submissions, fact-finding reports, op-eds, public or private letters, research memoranda, grant proposals, etc.)
• Supervises student travel, including timely creation of a travel and security plan, check-in plan with CIHR colleagues, timely submission of expenses, due diligence around student and personal security

Administration

• Maintains client and partner contact information, files, meeting notes, and correspondence
• Maintains proper digital and other security protocols
• Creates or updates AtH Project resources, including student guides, templates, file management systems
• Contributes to public communications for the AtH Project and CIHR
• Properly manages expenses, receipts, and budget reporting requirements; demonstrates fiscal responsibility

Other:

• Organizes at least one student-facing event related to health and human rights for the broader law school community
• Mentors and advises students

Miscellaneous:
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D., LL.M., or equivalent graduate-level law degree.
• Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
• Demonstrated knowledge of the human right to health, international human rights law, and/or environmental health and sustainable development; and familiarity with skills used by human rights lawyers and advocates.
• Demonstrated interest in working with students and commitment to supporting their learning and growth, including by creating and sustaining a supportive learning and working environment.
• Analytical thinking; curiosity; and an ability to work independently, as well as collaborate as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills; strong legal research, analysis, writing, and editing skills.
• Demonstrated international experience, which can include lived experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 or more years of related work experience.
• Prior experience working with underserved individuals or communities; demonstrated ability to work effectively in partnerships; and existing relationships with civil society organizations and/or affected communities that could contribute to the development of student projects related to health & human rights.
• Prior experience conducting human rights advocacy or working on issues related to global health, economic and social development, and/or environmental sustainability.
• Prior teaching or supervisory experience.
• Admission to the Illinois Bar or another U.S. jurisdiction

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Professional proficiency or fluency in Spanish or other languages relevant to project work.
• Proactive approach to project and task management and ability to remain organized amidst multiple competing demands.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $65,471.76 - $70,000.00per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

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