Fellow, Veterans Law Institute

Description:

The Fellow, Veterans Law Institute supports Stetson University by Provides direct client services to the Veteran/Active-Duty population and supports the work of the Veterans Advocacy Clinic and Veterans Law Institute.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: Employment duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides direct representation of clients in the areas of VA disability compensation claims, discharge upgrades, and other benefits matters. This position will maintain and be solely responsible for its own client caseload.
• Conducts outreach to veterans and their family members.
• Works directly with and under the supervision of the Director of the VLI. Also works directly with the Associate Director of the VLI and the Director of the VAC.
• Prepares legal memoranda and briefs in support of cases.
• Collaborates with the Director and staff with case work.
• Thinks creatively about strategic legal issues and problems.
• Participates regularly in case review meetings.
• Directs and provides assistance with outreach.
• Supports the Director(s) and Associate Director of the VAC and the VLI.
• Helps coordinate pro bono initiative of the VLI including organizing and attending community legal outreach and educational programs.
• Recruits, trains, and manages student volunteers and volunteer attorneys for the pro bono outreach.
• Assists with fundraising for the VAC and VLI.
• Assists with marketing of the VAC and VLI.
• Collaborates with other organizations to include USF, local treatment courts, local bar associations, local veterans' organizations, etc.
• Attends trainings, courses, and reads case law regularly to stay proficient in the area of veterans law.
• Maintains a collaborative work and learning environment for all faculty, staff members, and students and works well with others.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The knowledge, skills, and abilities for this role include:

• Knowledge of the Department of Veterans Affairs rules and regulations is required.
• Should possess superior interpersonal, organizational, and oral and written communication skills, including maturity and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ethical behavior, professionalism, and leadership and management abilities.
• A high level of organization, flexibility, multi-tasking, and judgment are required.
• The ability to work independently is required.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality is a must.
• Has a collaborative work and leadership style, with a capacity to cultivate and build relationships.
• The ability to juggle multiple competing priorities successfully.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• The flexibility and commitment to periodically work long and/or irregular hours.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Must be a dependable, responsible contributor committed to the excellence and success of Stetson's Veterans Law Institute, Veterans Advocacy Clinic, and law students.
• The ability to do legal research is imperative.
• Works to build an environment that promotes and facilitates the success of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.
• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours.

Required Qualifications: This position requires:

• Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school and be licensed to practice in one of the fifty states.
• Must be able to gain accreditation before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Working Conditions: Work duties performed primarily in temperature-controlled office, with frequent customer interaction. Lifting occasionally up to 20 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work authorization sponsorship may be available for this position. However, sponsorship is contingent upon the non-applicability of the visa petition fees outlined in the relevant Executive Order signed September 19, 2025. Due to the recent federally-mandated increased financial expense, the university is not in a position to absorb this significantly increased cost of sponsorship for new H-1B petitions at this time. International candidates are encouraged to apply, but should be aware that eligibility for sponsorship will be evaluated in accordance with current U.S. immigration regulations and institutional policies.

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