First Amendment Clinic Legal Fellow (Time-limited) - School of Law

Position SummaryThe First Amendment Clinic at WashU Law seeks a full-time Legal Fellow.

The First Amendment Clinic’s mission is to defend and advance the rights of free speech, press, assembly, and petition through regional litigation and advocacy, while providing law students with the practice experience to become leaders on First Amendment issues. The Clinic takes on a wide array of cases and controversies, including litigating First Amendment violations by raising claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, defending against libel claims and newsgathering torts. The Clinic has successfully represented a range of clients, including citizens challenging their denials of access to public board meetings, musicians challenging municipal policies that prevented them from playing on public sidewalks, a homeless veteran who was repeatedly arrested under an unconstitutional content-based solicitation ordinance, a local political activist who was blocked from the Twitter account of her elected official because she questioned one of his policy positions, and a journalist seeking to unseal court records. The Clinic and the legal fellow position are supported by the Stanton Foundation. 

This is a time-limited position of up to one year with the option to extend to a second year, contingent upon job performance and continued funding.  Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Under the direction of the Clinic’s Director, the Fellow will be expected to:

• Engage in substantial legal work, including intake/case evaluation, client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, drafting pleadings and other legal filings, participating in discovery, and making court appearances.
• Help supervise law students by providing feedback on their written work, client interaction, and oral advocacy.
• Assist with coalition building and managing referral relationships with public interest organizations, law firms, journalists, and other stakeholders committed to protecting expressive freedoms.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions:

Please attach the following supplement documents to your application:

• Cover letter (briefly describing your interest and qualifications), resume, and at least two references.

The proposed start date for this position is July 1, 2025. ​Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For fullest consideration, please apply by March 10, 2025. Questions about this position may be directed to Lisa Hoppenjans, Director, First Amendment Clinic, at lhoppenjans@wustl.edu.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.Required Qualifications

Education:

J.D. - Juris Doctor

Certifications:

The list below may include all acceptable certifications and issuers. More than one credential or certification may be required depending on the role.Missouri Bar Association - Missouri Bar Association

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Oral Communications, Organizational Context, Time Management, Written Communication

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted or eligible to practice law in Missouri (i.e., must be a member of the Missouri bar, able to become a member within six months of starting the position, or eligible for a certificate to supervise students as a law teacher pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 13.06).
• Possess a strong academic record.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with both students and community/professional partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in First Amendment law.
• Two years of litigation or clerkship experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Not ApplicableQuestions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.Pre-Employment ScreeningAll external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.Benefits StatementWashington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.EEO/AA StatementWashington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.Diversity StatementWashington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.