Immigration Law Fellowship

Immigration Law Fellowship (2026-2029)

Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week, 2026-2029

$60,000-$70,000/year

On-Campus

Reports to: Director, Center for Justice Reform Clinic

VLGS Benefits and PTO include: 

- Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.). 

- 403b including 4% employer contribution.

- 2 weeks of paid vacation in addition to paid personal and sick days. 

- 11 paid holidays plus two weeks of paid days off for Summer and Winter breaks. 

- Employee Assistance Program.

- VLGS course participation with tuition assistance.

- Flexible schedule potential. 

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community. 

Position Summary:

Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), The Vermont Bar Foundation, Trout Lily Foundation, and the Vermont Access to Justice Campaign are pleased to announce the availability of a three-year Immigration Law Fellowship (ILF) running from 2026 to 2029. The Center for Justice Reform (CJRC) seeks an outstanding lawyer or recent law graduate with 1–4 years of relevant experience to help address immigration-related barriers to justice by expanding the reach of Vermont’s existing immigration and related legal services providers. The Immigration Law Fellow will work within the CJRC, one of few immigration legal service providers in Vermont.

The desired start date is March 16, 2025; the precise start date is flexible. 

VLGS is located in South Royalton, Vermont, 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:

• Integrate fully into educational and legal services programs at the Center for Justice Reform Clinic, including delivering legal services to noncitizen clients.
• Develop and deliver one or more projects aimed at broadly improving access to justice for low-income noncitizen Vermonters.
• Collaborate with legal and lay advocates from Vermont Law and Graduate School, Vermont Legal Aid, and other regional partners to progress Fellowship projects and increase public awareness of available legal services and remedies. 
• Work with the Vermont Bar Foundation and the Vermont Bar Association to publicize Fellowship activities and participate in continuing legal education activities. 

Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

• Applicants must have 1–4 years of relevant legal experience and be admitted to the Vermont Bar, eligible to waive into licensure, or willing to sit for the Vermont Bar examination. 
• Demonstrated commitment to restorative justice, immigrants’ rights, and criminal justice reform. 
• Writing, editing, organizational, and managerial skills. 
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest lawyering. 
• Excellent academic credentials and outstanding interpersonal and collaboration skills. 
• Legal services or civil rights work experience. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft 365 applications. 
• Must be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school. 
• Strong preference for candidates with multilingual language skills.

Other Requirements:

• Some regional travel will be required. Applicants must have access to a personal vehicle.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.

Application Process:

To apply, please visit our Employment Opportunities website. Applicants must complete an online application and electronically submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, (3) a writing sample, and (4) the names and contact information of three references. VLGS will only contact references for finalists. VLGS strongly encourages applications from those who would increase our community’s diversity. Inquiries about the position may be sent to Brett Stokes at bstokes@vermontlaw.edu, Director Center for Justice Reform Clinic.

Salary Description

$60,000-$70,000