Animal Law and Policy Institute Fellow

Animal Law and Policy Institute (ALPI)

Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week, September 2026-August 2027

$75,000/year

Hybrid; VT Campus and Remote

Reports to: Director, ALPI

Position Summary: 

Vermont Law and Graduate School is pleased to announce a one-year Animal Law Fellowship running from September 2026-August 2027 (with the possibility of extension based on grant funding). 

The Fellow supports the Animal Law and Policy Institute's advocacy work focused on developing legal and policy resources, communications, research projects, and drafting reports. Additionally, the Fellow will produce scholarship, create education materials for stakeholders, and support project partners. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a projected start date of September 1, 2026.

VLGS is located in South Royalton, VT, a small town on the bank of the beautiful White River. Less than thirty minutes away are the amenities of the adjacent communities of Hanover, NH (home to Dartmouth College) and Lebanon, NH. Burlington, VT is a one-hour drive north and Boston, MA, and Montreal, QC are just three hours away. The CJRC conducts much of its case activity from offices in downtown Burlington. Clinical teaching and other student supervision responsibilities take place on the South Royalton campus. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Contribute to existing ALPI projects, in collaboration with ALPI staff and faculty. This work includes scholarship, updating existing resources; conducting legal and policy research and analysis; and developing case studies, memos, policy issue briefs, and reports. 

Required Education, Skills, and Experience: 

• Juris Doctorate with at least five years of experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to animal advocacy. 
• Strong legal research, writing, interpersonal, and communications skills. 
• Ability to think systemically and make recommendations based on thorough research.
• Self-motivated, creative, entrepreneurial spirit and desire to work independently and  collaboratively as part of a team. 

Other Requirements: 

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to shift focus quickly as needed to meet other priorities and needs. 
• Some travel may be required. 
• Attendance at events and meetings after traditional business hours, overnight, or on weekends may be required.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.
• Must be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school. 
• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.
• Ability to perform all essential functions of the job with or without basic accommodations.

Application Requirements:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and writing sample for consideration. If you are applying from a third party website (Indeed, etc.) and are unable to attach additional materials to your online application, please apply directly at https://www.vermontlaw.edu/community/about-vls/employment-opportunities.

As part of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and who require accommodations to apply should contact Human Resources at jobs@vermontlaw.edu. Vermont Law and Graduate School strives to raise the bar for being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, place of birth, marital status, disability, veteran's status, HIV status, pregnancy, genetic information, health insurance status, and crime victim status.