Robert M. Cover – Allard K. Lowenstein
International Human Rights Clinical Fellowship
Application Deadline: April 13, 2026
Yale Law School invites applications for the Cover-Lowenstein Fellowship in the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic. This is a two-year position, with the possibility of a third-year extension, beginning August 1, 2026. The fellowship is designed for lawyers with three to five years of experience in international human rights or related fields who seek advanced training for careers in human rights advocacy, practice, or teaching. The Cover-Lowenstein Fellow will work under the supervision of the Director of the Clinic, Professor Claudia Flores. The fellowship is intended to support the development of the next generation of human rights advocates and scholars.
The Lowenstein Clinic provides students with hands-on experience advocating for human rights and global social justice. Through project work and classroom discussion, students develop core lawyering and advocacy skills while engaging critically with contemporary challenges and opportunities in human rights practice. The Clinic also contributes to global efforts to advance human rights through strategic, high-quality assistance to partner organizations and individual clients.
Recent Clinic work has included engagement with independent human rights experts appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council; human rights litigation in domestic courts and before international bodies, particularly through the preparation of amicus briefs; investigation and reporting on human rights conditions; and the drafting of model legislation and treaties. More information about the Clinic is available at: https://law.yale.edu/schell/lowenstein-clinic. Given the nature of the Clinic’s work, the Fellow may also accompany students on project-related travel abroad.
The Fellow plays an active role in the teaching and supervision of clinic work. Responsibilities include supervising teams of law students engaged in human rights cases and advocacy projects; teaching clinic seminar sessions and facilitating weekly project rounds under the supervision of the Lowenstein Faculty Director and in collaboration with co-instructors; assisting with the administrative operations of the Clinic; contributing to the development of course curriculum and the selection of clinic projects; and managing ongoing project work, including taking primary responsibility for case and project-related matters during academic breaks. The fellowship also provides space for Fellows to pursue their own research and writing related to human rights law and practice.
In addition to clinic responsibilities, the Cover-Lowenstein Fellow supports the activities of the Orville H. Schell, Jr. Center for International Human Rights. The Fellow participates in the Center’s intellectual and professional community through workshops, lectures, and events, and collaborates with the Center’s faculty directors, executive director, and student directors to coordinate programming, including the weekly Human Rights Workshop, the annual Bernstein Human Rights Symposium, and a range of lectures, conferences, panels, podcasts, and film screenings. The Fellow also serves as an informal advisor to Law School and other university students on human rights research, advocacy opportunities, summer and post-graduate fellowships, and career development.
Required Qualifications
J.D. degree from a U.S. law school; admission to the bar of a U.S. state or jurisdiction; three to five years of professional experience in human rights or related advocacy; strong written and oral communication skills; ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment; and a demonstrated commitment to student growth and development.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supervising or mentoring students or junior professionals; experience in outreach, event coordination, or program development; interest in and capacity for legal scholarship; and fluency in one or more foreign languages. We particularly welcome applicants whose professional or personal experiences bring additional perspectives to the teaching and practice of human rights law.
The fellowship is a full-time, two-year appointment beginning August 1, 2026. The annual salary is approximately $88,000 and includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Applicants should email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to: schell.law@yale.edu.
Applications are due April 13, 2026.
Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.
Yale Law School is an affirmative action, equal opportunity, Title IX employer.
