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Job Description

The Research Assistant is part of the Career Services department in Law School at Vanderbilt University and works in partnership with an identified host. This position will work to develop legal research and writing skills and will expose the research assistant to a broad variety of legal fields. Work will include legal and fact research; the drafting of memoranda, contracts, correspondence, and other legal documents; and other tasks conducted under the supervision of and with feedback from the host and Career Services Assistant Dean.

• This position is available for a one-year term and does not lead to continuing employment. The position is paid and benefits eligible. To be considered, qualified candidates must submit their resume and a cover letter identifying a host and expressing their interest.

Vanderbilt Law School's Career Services excels in placing well-trained lawyers in public- and private-sector positions at law firms, government offices and organizations throughout the United States. This department provides avenues for not only for students, but also alumni (indefinite/lifetime support) and external employers. Employers located throughout the United States and abroad advertise positions for experienced attorneys in a list of leads cultivated and managed by career services staff. Career Services focuses on achieving 100% employment for our students who are in high demand for their outstanding legal training, combined with the interpersonal and other important professional skills they develop during law school.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform legal document review & template updates (some with outside counsel).
  • Documents include but not limited to contracts, memoranda, correspondence, government awards, institutional awards, service/vendor agreements, subawards, MOUs, confidentiality agreements, release/waivers, etc.
• Conduct legal and factual research on various matters, addressing a wide array of issues.
• Participate in Non-Profit Governance.
• Intra-company legal advice and support legal transactions.
• Policy review and implementation support.
• Counsel engagement and project support.
• Writing legal knowledge pieces (best practices) for org-wide consumption on topics such as the basics of contract, contract negotiation, basic intellectual property, dispute prevention strategies, etc.
• Complete additional special projects as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; the position reports functionally to assigned host and administratively to Assistant Dean for Career Services.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate (Class of 2023) with a J.D. or recent clerkship experience is necessary.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative is necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Self-motivation and a high level of responsibility to complete tasks in a timely manner and ability to make significant progress without direct supervision are necessary.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary.
• The ability to handle urgent and sensitive issues in a timely and ethical manner is necessary.
• Developed research skills are necessary.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

About Us

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.