Position Description

INTRODUCTION

The University of Connecticut School of Law invites applicants to serve as a Teaching Fellow in its Tax Clinic, an intensive in-house clinical program, beginning in the summer of 2023. This is a full-time, 1-year (renewed annually), end-date appointment, that does not lead to academic tenure or other permanent employment.

This position offers an attorney or accountant with an interest in clinical teaching the opportunity to teach, supervise students, and work with experienced faculty members in a law school clinical program. The fellow's duties will include planning and teaching clinic classes, supervising clinic students’ casework, direct client representation, and planning and participating in outreach and community education. The fellow will work closely with the Clinic’s faculty director and will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students in the Law School. The fellow will also have the opportunity and support to work on scholarship and pursue other learning goals.

The School of Law is especially interested in candidates who will add to the diversity of our faculty and community. We welcome applications from individuals underrepresented in the legal academy, as well as candidates with experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints that will enrich the diversity of our community. 

The Tax Clinic is one of 19 clinics and field placement programs operated by the Law School, including a robust in-house clinical program that comprises clinics focusing on asylum, criminal defense, tax, intellectual property, housing, and animal law, and clinics run in partnership with non-profits affiliated with the Law School that focuses on child advocacy, environmental law, elder law, veterans’ benefits, and disability rights. UConn Law was an early leader nationally in clinical legal education, and its clinics and field placement programs continue to garner recognition statewide for training lawyers and providing outstanding service to members of the community. 

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. A recently-published short book, “Born Fighting: Clinical Education at the University of Connecticut School of Law,” traces the clinic’s fifty-year history: https://today.uconn.edu/school-stories/new-book-describes-history-uconn-law-clinic/.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and 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. The 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 outside of court hearings.
• Supervising students in court (if a member of the bar).
• Conducting and supervising client interviews and making referrals.
• Providing short consultations to clinic callers.
• Planning and participating in advocacy, research, education, and outreach projects related to the clinic.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A J.D. degree.
• Membership in the Connecticut bar or the ability to become a member within three months of hire (Connecticut’s bar admission rules allow faculty members to be admitted without taking the Connecticut bar examination in some circumstances) or holding an active license as a Certified Public Accountant in Connecticut.
• Practice experience in U.S. federal taxation. 
• Excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest or pro bono legal work.
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Practice experience in a low income taxpayer clinic. 
• An outstanding law school and/or law practice record.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The position is at the Law School campus in Hartford. This is a non-tenure track 1-year (renewed annually), end-date appointment. The annual salary is $70,000. Benefits include health insurance and research support.

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 to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/24339 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.)
• Writing sample
• Contact information for three (3) letters of reference

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

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 identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.