How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
Founded in 1859, Michigan Law School is one of the world's leading institutions of legal education and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its intellectual rigor, stunning physical surroundings, preeminent faculty scholarship, and a community noted for collegiality and warmth. Michigan Law has an exceptional and cooperative community of talented and interesting students, with 1000 in the J.D. and 40 in the LL.M. program. Our commitments to collegiality, to constructive and challenging debate, and to enabling our students to pursue a wide range of options. Our graduates serve with distinction in the private, public, non-profit, and academic sectors, in large numbers in every major market in the nation, as well as internationally. The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is considered among the best places in the United States to live and work.
Founded in 1969, the Michigan Clinical Law program consists of 17 clinics which provide no-cost legal services to the public in a variety of specialized practices.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Law School Experiential Education program is seeking an experienced administrator with an extensive background providing litigation support either in a law office or legal clinical setting.
This position is hybrid, requiring three days per week in the office and two days remote, however, please expect to report to the office four to five days per week during the first several weeks of training. This position reports to the Business Administrator Senior and clinical faculty directors.
Responsibilities*
The Specialist serves as liaison between supervising attorneys, student attorneys, clients, opposing counsel, and various administrative agencies. The Specialist manages the general office workflow, provides administrative oversite of a functioning law office, and delivers vital teaching support to assigned clinical faculty.
The Specialist provides extensive support to legal students enrolled in the clinical program and therefore must be comfortable helping mentor student attorneys as they learn to navigate a professional legal setting. The Specialist will be a member of a collaborative, dynamic team and will provide cross-functional support to colleagues across various clinics as needed.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Client & External Communication
- Client Management: Handle intake and ongoing communication with prospective and current clients, including managing acceptance, rejection, deferral, and status updates.
- Agency Liaison: Communicate effectively with various courts, administrative bodies, and legal agencies on behalf of the clinic.
- Correspondence: Manage all phone, email, and mail correspondence, responding independently or routing as appropriate.
Legal & Case Support
- Document Preparation: Prepare, review, and proofread legal documents as requested by supervising attorneys.
- Filing Assistance: Assist supervising and student attorneys with the preparation and submission of legal filings.
- Information Management: Develop, organize, and maintain digital and physical client files; manage and update clinic conflict-check databases.
Instructional & Student Support
- Student Training: Onboard and train incoming student attorneys on office procedures, file management systems, equipment, and resource materials
- Teaching Assistance: Provide robust classroom support, including preparing instructional materials, maintaining Canvas sites, and updating clinic manuals.
- Student Tracking: Monitor and track student clinical hours and assist faculty with academic administrative needs.
Operations & Financial Management
- Budgetary Oversight: Manage the clinic's financial operations, including drafting annual budget projections, tracking expenses, handling financial reconciliations, and making approved purchases.
- Office Logistics: Coordinate schedules, organize meetings, manage conference calls, and oversee logistical arrangements (such as room and vehicle reservations).
- Cross-Clinic Coverage: Collaborate actively with the broader administrative team to provide seamless, wraparound coverage for other clinics during colleague absences.
Required Qualifications*
Successful candidates must have experience working in a legal setting and possess a general understanding of civil, criminal and/or appellate litigation as the Specialist will support multiple clinics that specialize in a variety of litigation sub-specialties.
- Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least three years of experience providing support to attorneys in a law office or legal clinic setting
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat
- Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information and sensitive matters with tact, discretion and sound judgement
- Ability to work independently in a flexible and highly dynamic work environment
- Excellent written and oral interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to balance a diverse portfolio of responsibilities and multiple competing priorities
- Initiative to solve problems independently with minimal direction or oversite
Desired Qualifications*
- Previous experience working in higher education
- Experience in M-Pathways systems, Canvas, CLIO, Dropbox and Emburse
- Knowledge of University of Michigan policies and procedures
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.