The Vanderbilt University Office of the General Counsel is seeking to hire a recent law school graduate (Class of 2025 or recently completed a clerkship) as a full-time Law Fellow. This position is available for a one-year term beginning as soon as possible with the possibility for a one-year extension and does not lead to continuing employment. The position is paid and benefits eligible.
The fellowship will provide an excellent opportunity to develop legal research and writing skills and will expose the Fellow to a broad variety of legal fields including education law, federal and state regulation, commercial and corporate law, employment and student affairs, and litigation, all within the context of a major not-for-profit research university. Although the fellowship provides broad exposure to varied legal topics, at this time, we are especially interested in candidates who are interested in (and may have relevant experience in) working on employment- and student-affairs matters and litigation more broadly. Work will include legal and fact research; the drafting of memoranda, contracts, correspondence, and other legal documents; advising various employees and departments on campus on a broad range of issues; and other tasks conducted under the supervision of and with feedback from the office’s attorneys. The Fellow will have the opportunity to assist the General Counsel and other attorneys on special projects. Strong academic credentials and excellent oral and written communication skills are important qualifications for this position.
About Vanderbilt University:
From its founding in 1873 as an institution devoted to “strengthening the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country,” Vanderbilt University has forged a tradition of academic excellence infused with a unique spirit of collaboration and collegiality. Our mission lies in the quest to bring out the best in humanity—pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery, challenging the limits of what’s possible and working diligently in the service of others. Vanderbilt’s closely connected park-like campus, set in the heart of the rapidly growing city of Nashville, Tennessee, is representative of the enduring bonds that unite us as One Vanderbilt community.
About the Department:
As part of the Office of the General Counsel, the Legal team provides timely and responsive legal advice to support Vanderbilt’s goals in research and education. The Office advises all Vanderbilt University departments in areas covering contracts, intellectual property, taxation, business matters, and student- and personnel-related issues. The Office of the General Counsel manages all litigation proceeding on behalf of the university. In addition, the University Compliance Services, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, and Risk & Insurance Management teams report to the General Counsel.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Draft, edit, and review various legal documents such as contracts, memoranda, correspondence, policies, and proceduresConduct legal and factual research on various matters, addressing a wide array of issues relevant to higher educationAttend and report back on university meetings on topics of special interestAssist in managing matters in various stages of litigation with both internal supervising attorneys and external legal counselComplete additional special projects as assigned by supervising attorneysQualifications:
New law school graduate (Class of 2025), or recently completed a clerkshipInterest in learning about higher education and related legal servicesStrong oral and written communication skillsThe ability to handle urgent and sensitive issues in a timely and ethical mannerProficiency in basic and common technology, including the Microsoft Office suiteJ.D. is required with a preferred 3.5 GPA or above, where applicableLicensed to practice law in Tennessee or Tennessee licensure pending (already taken the Tennessee Bar Exam)Submission Requirements:
ResumeCover letter/statement of interestRecent writing sample (approx. 3-5 pages; 10 pages max.)