Director of Law Clinics

The Law School seeks an experienced professional to serve as the Director of Law Clinics, providing leadership and operations management in a highly collaborative environment. Under the direction of the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, the Director works closely with clinical faculty, staff, and law students, together with Law Clinic stakeholders and Law School leadership, in order to set and carry out the Law Clinics' work. The Director of Law Clinics is responsible for directing the strategic needs of the Law Clinics, directing the operational and curricular components of the Law Clinics, and overseeing compliance and other operational needs. The position supervises four administrative staff, and reports to the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education. This position is primarily in-person and the salary range is $95,000-$115,000 annually.

Job Duties

Lead and Direct Strategic Needs of the Law Clinics - 15%

• Lead the overall strategic planning and needs of the Law Clinics, in collaboration with the Law Clinic's Assistant Dean, clinical faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and students, along with other stakeholders and Law School leadership.
• Engage and foster connections with a broad constituency of networks and community partners in the region and nationally for legal education and the Law Clinics.
• Along with the Assistant Dean, serve as the primary liaison for the Law Clinics with Law School Leadership, as well as with the University and the greater community.
• Partner with the Law School's Communications Team, the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, and Law School leadership to highlight success and impact stories and enhance the national reputation of the Law Clinics.
• Coordinate media requests with the Law School's Communications Team on an ongoing and as-needed basis.

Lead and Direct Operations of the Law Clinics - 45%

• Provide a high level of direction and support to clinic faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and students to ensure continuous client services, escalating to the Assistant Dean when necessary.
• Maintain a supportive connection to each legal clinic, providing guidance on process, policies, oversight, and quality control.
• Partner with Law School Facilities Management, Human Resources, IT, and Finance Teams to address clinic needs.
• Evaluate, implement, and direct internal policies and procedures for planning, registration, adjunct faculty, and student director hiring and onboarding, training, and communication.
• Maintain the Law Clinics discretionary budget and set budget priorities in consultation with the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and Law School leadership.
• Serve as a resource for clinics funded by grants and philanthropy on reporting and other grant requirements.
• Manage and supervise clinic staff with the goal of providing effective and efficient support of the clinical faculty, students, and case needs.

Lead and Direct Clinic Enrollment and Course Needs - 20%

• Lead and oversee the Law Clinics ' communications needs, including for student enrollment, onboarding, Law Clinics procedures, and other clinic-wide communications.
• Partner with the Assistant Dean, faculty, and the Curriculum Team to set clinic course information, including course times, enrollment, and classroom needs. Partner with the Registrar during enrollment periods to authorize enrollment and manage waitlists.
• Work directly with Student Affairs and the University's Disability Resource Center to manage and implement student accommodations.
• Manage course needs for clinic and adjunct faculty with clinic administrative staff, including directing support for Canvas sites, textbook needs, and other administrative support.
• Evaluate, hire, and supervise the Summer Clinic Supervisor (SCS) to oversee the work of summer student directors working under the SCS's supervision.

Oversee Data & Compliance Needs - 20%

• In partnership with the Assistant Dean, evaluate, implement, and build on existing policies and assessment tools to measure enrollment trends, outcomes, ensure quality control, and satisfy all ABA requirements.
• Manage and maintain compliance needs, including student certification lists for practice in federal and state courts; court e-filing accounts; Clio conflict check system; and access to clinic space.
• Maintain financial administration of the Clinic and expense authorization/control, including the clinic litigation bank account, and lawyer trust account (IOLTA).
• Update user accounts and access to case management database (Clio) and the clinic server for students, adjunct faculty, and clinic faculty. Schedule and manage Clio training for students.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with at least 6 years of experience in law practice management.
• Capacity to effectively communicate, work collaboratively, directly supervise, and engage with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders at all levels
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, and public communication skills; leadership, problem-solving, and consensus-building capacity; professional judgment and discretion; organizational skills
• Licensed to practice law in at least one state (whether Minnesota or another state) and be eligible for admission in state and federal court in Minnesota, if not already admitted.

Preferred Qualifications

• J.D. from an A.B.A. accredited law school with at least 4 years of professional experience
• Legal practice management experience

About the University of Minnesota Law School

Recognized as one of the country's preeminent public law schools, the University of Minnesota Law School is a leader in preparing students to solve our time's complex social, economic, and business issues. Our exceptional faculty, innovative curriculum, and unmatched clinical and experiential learning opportunities equip students for the demands of the 21st century. We are distinguished by a rare collegial culture emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and persuasion. The Law School draws a talented, diverse student body from every part of the United States and numerous countries.

About the Law Clinics

The Law School's nationally ranked clinical training program provides 25+ diverse and wide-ranging legal clinics to the local, national, and global community, while also providing students with the opportunity to develop their legal skills and gain real-world client-service experience in a supportive setting. Under the Student Practice Rule adopted by the Minnesota Supreme Court, clinic students are permitted to represent clients in actual court and administrative agency proceedings under the supervision of clinic faculty. The Law Clinics are a law office within the Law School, staffed by administrative staff, student attorneys, clinical faculty, and adjunct practitioner faculty, all working with clients on a wide variety of legal issues including: human rights and immigration, rights and liberties, economic justice, family and community, and business and nonprofits. Roughly 250 students enroll in one of our clinics each year.

Pay Range: $95,000 - $115,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment:100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required in your application in order to be considered for this position.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).