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.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Law School Experiential Education program is seeking an experienced administrator to administratively manage the Zell Entrepreneurship Clinic (ZEC) and Externship and Pro Bono programs. This position is hybrid, requiring three days per week in the office and two days remote. This position reports to the Business Administrator Senior, ZEC faculty directors and Externship and Pro Bono director.
The Zell Entrepreneurship Clinic (ZEC) provides no-cost legal services to student-led and other startups in the Ann Arbor and metro Detroit area. The Specialist serves as liaison between the ZEC's supervising attorneys, students, clients, prospective clients, attorneys representing other parties, and various administrative agencies. The Specialist manages the general office workflow and provides administrative oversite of a functioning law office as well as teaching support to the faculty. Additionally, the Specialist will serve as administrative coordinator for the MLaw Pro Bono and Externship Programs.
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 explain why the Law School has long been committed to diversity along many dimensions. 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.
Responsibilities*
Zell Entrepreneurship Clinic: The Zell Entrepreneurship Clinic (ZEC) provides no-cost legal services to student-led and other startups in the Ann Arbor and metro Detroit area. The Specialist serves as liaison between the ZEC's supervising attorneys, students, clients, prospective clients, attorneys representing other parties, and various administrative agencies and manages the clinic's administrative workflows.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Communicate with prospective clients and complete applications as necessary. Confirm receipt of client applications. Follow up with clients. Communicate acceptance, referral and rejection of application as appropriate.
- Manage all phone, email, and mail correspondence and respond as appropriate
- Prepare and review legal documents as requested
- Develop and maintain client files and update regularly. Prepare documents for client files
- Maintain client conflict database. Conduct conflict checks
- Train and oversee incoming students on office procedures, file management system, and use of equipment and resource materials
- Update and maintain Clinic website as requested
- Manage Trademarking process on behalf of the transactional clinics program
- Organize and schedule meetings and conference calls. Assist with car and room reservations for client meetings
- Provide teaching support including the preparation of classroom materials, maintaining Canvas sites, updating the clinic manual and teaching materials as requested, tracking student hours, and assisting faculty with other needs as requested
- Managing the overall budgetary and financial operations of the clinic, including drafting annual budget projections, tracking expenses, financial reconciliation, and making purchases on behalf of the clinic as required
Pro Bono and Externship Programs: Serve as administrative coordinator for the Pro Bono and Externship Programs under the general direction of the Program Director. Assist the Director with the development and execution of program initiatives, including but not limited to:
- Organizing and hosting the Pro Bono Project Fair each semester and an annual Pro Bono Training Day
- Refining oversite of projects under the Program's umbrella
- Increasing program visibility and increase student engagement
- Coordinate with Student Organizations and Legal Service Organizations to manage Pro Bono Opportunity postings available to students
- Manage applications materials for full-time and part-time Externships in MCompass
- Maintain the Externship Canvas course, calendars, and shared office spaces
- Assist with the Geneva and South Africa International Externships, including managing application materials, scheduling interviews, and organizing orientation sessions with the Financial Aid Office and International Safety Office
- Supporting international faculty, including making travel arrangements for faculty visiting Ann Arbor
- Managing the overall budgetary and financial operations of both programs, including drafting annual budget projections, tracking expenses, financial reconciliation, and making purchases on behalf of the programs as required
1L Advocacy Clinic (winter semester only):
In the 1L Advocacy Clinic, first-year law students, under the supervision of an experienced attorney, receive course credit to develop a wide variety of real-world advocacy skills, including investigation, interviewing, legal research and writing, and oral advocacy, while helping the community in significant and meaningful ways.
This role will serve as co-administrator of the 1L Advocacy clinic each winter semester. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Manage phone, email, and mail correspondence and respond as appropriate
- Prepare and review legal documents as requested
- Develop and maintain client files
- Maintain client conflict database. Conduct conflict checks
- Train and oversee incoming students on office procedures, file management system, and use of equipment and resource materials
- Update and maintain Clinic website as requested
- Organize and schedule meetings and conference calls. Assist with car and room reservations for client meetings
- Provide teaching support including the preparation of classroom materials, maintaining Canvas sites, updating the clinic manual and teaching materials as requested, tracking student hours, and assisting faculty with other needs as requested
- Providing backup coverage to co-administrators as required
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least three years of administrative support experience
- 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 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
- Knowledge of or experience working in a law office or legal clinic
Desired Qualifications*
- Previous experience working in law office or law clinic setting
- 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.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.