Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Fellow - West Virginia University College of Law

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West Virginia University College of Law’s Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic is now accepting applications for the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Fellowship. The fellowship combines the opportunity to work with attorneys, planners and students at one of the leading Land Use Clinics in the United States with the opportunity to obtain the WVU Law LL.M. degree in Energy and Sustainable Development Law. The LL.M. program provides a uniquely deep and balanced curriculum in perhaps the nation’s richest natural resource region.

Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic

The Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic (LUSD Law Clinic) provides legal services to local governments, landowners and non-profit organizations to develop land conservation strategies and practices. Legal services include, but are not limited to, title examinations, advising landowners and land trusts, drafting conservations easements, negotiating with mineral owners/lessees, working with communities to identify alternative wastewater solutions, drafting comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, training local officials on land use issues, and facilitating public meetings.

LL.M. in Energy and Sustainable Development Law

The WVU College of Law LL.M. in Energy and Sustainable Development Law is the only LL.M. program in the United States that provides a balanced curriculum in both energy law and the law of sustainable development. Working with WVUCollege of Law’s Center for Energy and Sustainable Development, LL.M. students will develop the expertise to advise clients and provide leadership on matters covering the full range of energy, environmental and sustainable development law.

The LL.M. in Energy and Sustainable Development Law provides a broad and deep offering of courses, experiential learning opportunities, and practical training for every part of the energy sector. Our broad spectrum of courses allows our students to prepare to be lawyers serving energy companies, investors, environmental organizations, landowners, utilities, manufacturing companies, lawmakers, policymakers, regulators and land use professionals.

Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Fellow

This fellowship is a part-time (at least twenty hours per week), two-year position from August 2014 through July 2016. The Fellow will receive an annual stipend of $20,000 and tuition remission for the LL.M. program. The Fellow would take 6-7 credits per semester allowing time for part-time work at the Clinic.

The position involves policy and legal research and writing; facilitating public meetings and workshops; supervising law students in the LUSD Law Clinic; and administrative responsibilities as needed. Many of our clients and partners work throughout the state and some travel is expected.

The Fellow will support all aspects of the Clinic’s missions in the areas of land conservation, land use planning, alternative wastewater solutions and the education of law students in these areas. There is frequent overlap in the areas of energy and land use planning, including the reduction of vehicle miles travelled, energy siting, and energy efficient buildings. Efforts will be made to match project assignments with the Fellow’s interest.

Fellowship Qualifications

Candidates should possess a J.D.; a strong academic record; excellent analytical and writing skills; a demonstrated interest and background in land use and sustainable development law and policy; and admission to the LL.M. program at West Virginia University (application for LL.M. admission can occur concurrently with the fellowship application). Preference will be given to candidates who have relevant experience in law, land use, or sustainable development. Admittance to the West Virginia Bar is preferred.

Applicants should apply to Samatha.Stefanov@mail.wvu.edu. Please submit a letter discussing qualifications and interests, a resume, a law school transcript, a recent writing sample and contact information for three references.

We are now accepting applications. The application deadline is June 1, 2014 or until the post is filled.

Visit our website at landuse.law.wvu.edu for more information about our programs.

West Virginia University College of Law is an equal opportunity employer and has a special interest in enriching its intellectual environment through further diversifying the range of perspectives represented by its faculty and teaching staff.