Description:
Introduction:The University of Connecticut School of Law invites applicants for an opening as a Visiting Clinical Instructor of Law serving in the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic as the William R. Davis Clinical Teaching Fellow, beginning in the summer of 2026. This is a full-time, non-tenure track appointment of one year with a potential renewal for a second year.
This position offers an attorney with an interest in clinical teaching and immigration/asylum law the opportunity to refine their teaching and supervisory skills while working together with experienced faculty members in a law school clinical program. The Davis Fellow will work in the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic, which represents clients in removal or other immigration proceedings who fear persecution or torture in their home countries.
The fellow's duties include planning and co-teaching Clinic classes, supervising Clinic students' casework, and some direct client representation. The fellow will work closely with the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic's faculty director and have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students in the Law School's other clinics. The fellow can also work on scholarship, attend and participate in faculty workshops, and engage in advocacy and service projects related to the Clinic's mission.
Minimum and preferred qualifications for applicants, appointment terms, and application procedures are detailed further below.
We are especially interested in receiving applications from candidates who will add to the diversity of our faculty and community. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and other candidates with experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints that will enrich our community and further our mission.
The Asylum and Human Rights Clinic is one of 20 clinics and field placement programs operated by UConn Law, including a robust in-house clinical program that includes clinics focusing on criminal defense, health equity, asylum, animal law, tax, intellectual property, and transactional practice; and clinics run in partnership with non-profits or public agencies that focus on child advocacy, disability rights, criminal law, elder law, and veterans' benefits. Additional information about the clinics at UConn Law School can be found on the Law School's website, at https://www.law.uconn.edu/academics/clinics-experiential-learning/clinics-field-placements. UConn has been a leader in clinical legal education for nearly 60 years; a short volume tracing that history, “Born Fighting: Clinical Education at the University of Connecticut School of Law,” is available at https://law.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3082/2021/08/bornfighting_0.pdf.
UConn Law School is the top-ranked public law school in the Northeast, offering a professional education and scholarly environment of the highest quality. The Law School is committed to building and supporting a vibrant, multicultural, and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Its beautiful Gothic Revival campus is located in the West End of Hartford, a few miles from the state capitol and courts, as well as the headquarters of leading insurance companies and other major corporations. The Law School has both day and evening divisions and offers the JD (Juris Doctor) degree, LLM (Master of Laws) degrees, and the SJD (Doctor of Laws) degree, as well as several dual degree programs. The UConn Law faculty includes leading scholars, experienced practitioners, and internationally known experts in a wide range of fields. The Law School hosts four student journals, over forty student organizations, extensive clinical and public service for the surrounding communities, and one of the largest law libraries in the world.
Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and a member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state's flagship institution of higher education. It includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Planning and co-teaching the Clinic seminar classes.
- Supervising Clinic students' casework.
- Providing direct client representation in ongoing cases that students are not actively working on.
- Conducting intake interviews with prospective new clients.
- Planning and participating in advocacy, research, education, and outreach projects related to the Clinic.
Minimum Qualifications:
- J.D. degree.
- Membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
- At least two years of experience as a practicing lawyer or equivalent experience (which may include participation in an intensive clinical program as a law student). Some of that practice experience must include work related to immigration, refugees, or asylum.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest or pro bono legal work.
- Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Teaching or supervision experience.
- An outstanding law school and/or law practice record.
- Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language widely spoken by asylum-seekers.
This Is an 11-Month, Non-Tenure Track, Potentially Renewable Position at The Law School Campus in Hartford, Ct. the Position Is Expected to Begin in The Summer of 2026, and Continue for Up to Two Years. It Does Not Lead to Tenure or Permanent Appointment. the Expected Annual Salary Is $70,000.
The University Offers a Competitive Salary, and Outstanding Benefits, Including Employee and Dependent Tuition Waivers at U Conn, and A Highly Desirable Work Environment. for Additional Information Regarding Benefits Visit: Https://hr.Uconn.Edu/health-Benefits/.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Employment of The Successful Candidate Is Contingent upon The Successful Completion of A Pre-Employment Criminal Background Check.
To Apply:
Please Apply Online At: Https://hr.Uconn.Edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499391 and Submit the Following Application Materials:
- A Letter of Interest that Includes Discussion of Why You Are Seeking the Position and Your Relevant Qualifications and Experience.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
- Writing Sample.
- A List of 3 References Along with Contact Information.
- Applicants with Less than Five Years of Post-Law School Practice Experience Should Also Submit an Informal or Official Law School Transcript.
Information About the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic Can Be Found at The U Conn Law School Website at Https://law.Uconn.Edu/academics/clinics-Experiential-Education/asylum-Human-Rights-Clinic/ for Further Information, Contact Professor Jon Bauer, the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic's Director, via Jon.Bauer@uconn.Edu
At the University of Connecticut, Our Commitment to Excellence Encompasses a Commitment to Building a Culturally Diverse Community.
This Position Will Be Filled Subject to Budgetary Approval.
All Employees Are Subject to Adherence to The State Code of Ethics, Which May Be Found at Https://portal.Ct.Gov/ethics/statutes-And-Regulations.
All Members of The University of Connecticut Are Expected to Exhibit Appreciation Of, and Contribute To, an Inclusive, Respectful, and Diverse Environment for The University Community.
The University of Connecticut Aspires to Create a Community Built on Collaboration and Belonging and Has Actively Sought to Create an Inclusive Culture Within the Workforce. the Success of The University Is Dependent on The Willingness of Our Diverse Employee and Student Populations to Share Their Rich Perspectives and Backgrounds in A Respectful Manner. This Makes It Essential for Each Member of Our Community to Feel Secure and Welcomed and To Thoroughly Understand and Believe that Their Ideas Are Respected by All. We Strongly Respect Each Individual Employee's Unique Experiences and Perspectives and Encourage All Members of The Community to Do the Same. All Applicants Will Receive Consideration for Employment without Regard to Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Gender I