Clinical Instructor, Harvard Religious Freedom Clinic

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Law School?

Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

The Harvard Law School Religious Freedom Clinic is seeking an experienced attorney to join its legal practice and teaching program dedicated to teaching professional skills and values to students through the lens of pro bono religious freedom lawyering. 

The Clinical Instructor will assist the Clinic Director in litigating, supervising, and teaching students in a variety of challenging First Amendment and religious freedom cases and matters. The Clinic has active amicus and direct representation practices, filing briefs in the Supreme Court and circuit-level briefs in precedent-making cases as well as assisting the most in-need victims of religious discrimination at all stages of litigation. The Clinic typically advocates for minority religious groups, the imprisoned, victims of discrimination in the workplace, and those facing obstacles in ministering to migrants and the poor. 

Working with the Clinic Director and Clinical Instructional Fellows, the Clinical Instructor supervises student fieldwork, delivers instruction in legal skills and practice, provides feedback on their written work and performance, and ensures that the Clinic carries out its work with the highest level of skill and professionalism. While school is not in session, the Clinical Instructor may also take the lead on litigating Clinic cases, with opportunities ranging from brief-writing and motion practice to court appearances, depositions, and oral arguments. 

The Clinical Instructor will also be a part of the intellectual community both within the Clinic and at Harvard Law School. As part of that community, the Clinical Instructor will have frequent opportunities to expand his or her knowledge of religious freedom law through Clinic work, leading class discussions in clinical seminars with students, and attending talks and conferences, as well as the opportunity to pursue his or her own research or scholarship. 

As a Clinical Instructor, you will: 

• Help manage a portfolio of Clinic cases and represent clients in ongoing cases; 
• Help train and teach students enrolled in the Clinic using the tools of clinical pedagogy; 
• Meet regularly with student teams to prepare and strategize in their casework, actively supervise and provide thorough feedback to students on client interactions and work product, and help instruct and evaluate students on legal and professional skills; 
• Assist with teaching the Clinic’s classroom component; 
• Help develop Clinic clients and projects as well as maintain the Clinic’s current and ongoing projects and relationships. 

Basic Qualifications

J.D. with at least 3 years of relevant experience and admission to a state bar, with a commitment to join or seek temporary admission to the Massachusetts bar (pursuant to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04) or federal bars as needed and if not already admitted.   

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have: 

• A passion for the Clinic’s mission of ensuring religious freedom for all; 
• Experience with teaching, mentoring, and motivating students and beginning attorneys; 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; 
• Superior writing and verbal skills; and 
• A commitment to public-interest lawyering and clinical teaching. 

Appointment End Date: This is a term appointment currently expected to extend through June 30, 2026, with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.  

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time.

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Certification/License

Other Information:

While the position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, this role has the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement (some combination of on campus and remote), subject to business need and manager review/approval.  All remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT and WA) 

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

#LI-MH1

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.