Sally L Stevens Immigration Law Fellow

The University of Maine School of Law is seeking to hire an Immigration Law Fellow focused on immigration work in the University of Maine’s Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. As the Sally L. Stevens Immigration Law Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to supervise law students, conduct outreach, and provide legal services to underserved communities in Maine. This position offers valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in public interest law, specifically immigration law. Maine Law’s Clinical Programs are based in Portland, Maine, and serve individuals throughout the state of Maine and beyond, in a variety of clinical programs. The Sally L. Stevens Immigration Law Fellow will supervise the work of the student attorneys in outreach and advocacy projects and direct representation and handle matters related to the day-to-day administration of the Clinic and its cases and projects, and assume primary supervision, and in some cases primary responsibility, for cases and projects. The Sally L. Stevens Immigration Law Fellow will primarily support the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic.

In the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, students serve as attorneys assisting low-income immigrants through a broad range of cases and projects. The RHRC and its attorneys target a critical gap in access to justice – providing direct legal representation and broader advocacy to immigrants and refugees seeking political asylum and similar protections under federal law. Equally important, the RHRC trains future attorneys in the field of immigration law, familiarizing them with the legal landscape even before they graduate. The RHRC serves a broad client base. Some examples of our clientele include asylum applicants who fled human rights abuses in their home countries and are seeking refuge, immigrant survivors of domestic violence, and abandoned or abused children seeking legal status in the United States.

Anna Welch, Professor and Founding Director of the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic, and Erica Schair-Cardona, Adjunct Professor and Outreach and Advocacy Attorney, will provide primary supervision to the Sally L. Stevens Immigration Law Fellow. As a member of Maine Law’s Clinic team, the Fellow must be deeply committed to teaching the next generation of law students through supervision of cases and projects and be committed to the social justice mission of Maine Law’s clinical programs. The Sally L. Stevens Fellow must also be deeply committed to promoting a culture of collaboration, inclusion, belonging, excellence, and continual improvement.

This is a 24-month, non-faculty professional staff position. Funding is secured through summer 2028. The start date is mid-August 2026. The office location is 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, with some travel required.

Salary: The annual salary is $70,000-$75,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., evenings and weekends as needed.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the annual salary range is $75,000 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers a wellness program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise student attorneys on the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic’s Community Outreach and Advocacy work, including, e.g., the RHRC’s New England Immigration Detention Project, the creation of educational materials, Know-Your-Rights and related informational presentations, forms assistance, among other projects.
• Contribute to supervising and participating in immigration community outreach projects.
• Supervise student attorneys on full representation and limited representation immigration and related cases.
• Serve as the primary attorney on certain direct representation immigration cases.
• Collaborate with community organizations and partners that promote access to justice and immigration legal assistance.
• Handle matters related to the day-to-day administration of the clinic and its cases and projects.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment to serve clients, students, and the community.
• Possession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law, with a Maine bar license or eligibility to obtain one.
• Immigration or related law practice experience (1-3 years preferred, and law school clinical work can count toward practical experience).
• A strong academic record.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to experiential learning and access to justice.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of professional life.

Important items to know about the recruitment process:

• Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until a qualified candidate is hired.
• Incomplete application materials cannot be considered.
• Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide three (3) names and contact information for references.
• The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screenings.
• We cannot consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship.

10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers a wellness program.