Law Fellow

American Association of University Professors - Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey (AAUP-BHSNJ)
New Jersey

About AAUP-BHSNJ

The American Association of University Professors - Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey is a union of clinicians, teachers, and researchers at Rutgers and Rowan Universities. Our members provide critical care in safety-net hospitals and clinics; conduct groundbreaking medical, public health, and scientific research; and teach the next generation of healthcare researchers and practitioners. Our union works to build power for our members and to ensure high-quality, affordable healthcare and education across New Jersey.

We represent approximately 2,000 biomedical faculty.

We are a proud member of the Rutgers Council of AAUP Chapters, a wall-to-wall academic union working to promote a democratic, inclusive vision for higher education.
 

Position Overview

As a Law Fellow for AAUP-BHSNJ, you will play a central role in enforcing workers’ rights under our union contracts and state and federal law; and using the law to support collective bargaining, new organizing campaigns, and contract campaigns. This position reports to the AAUP-BHSNJ Director of Representation/Staff Attorney and the AAUP-BHSNJ Executive Director.

This position has a one-year term, with an option to renew for a second year (with the mutual agreement of the law fellow and AAUP-BHSNJ). This position is envisioned for new attorneys (who graduated from law school within the past three years), but more experienced candidates are welcome to apply.

We are looking for someone who is able and willing to start work on or before November 1, 2026. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal, research and writing skills and a demonstrated commitment to workers’ rights and the labor movement.

Responsibilities include:

· Represent the Union and our members in grievances and arbitrations: file grievances, represent the union in Step 1 meetings, engage in settlement negotiations, prepare cases for arbitration, conduct arbitration hearings, and draft and edit post-hearing briefs;

· Represent the Union in state and federal administrative matters, such as before the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission, and, as needed, in court;

· Conduct legal research to support new organizing and contract campaigns;

· Advise union staff and leadership on legal questions that may arise;

· Respond to questions from unit members on their rights under the union contract and under state and federal law;

· Conduct trainings for staff, member leaders, and the broader membership;

· Provide legal support for collective bargaining;

· Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

· JD from an accredited US law school; coursework with labor and employment law preferred

· Work experience representing workers and/or unions; this can include law school internships and clinics

· Excellent legal research and writing skills

· Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to connect with members and not-yet members from a range of backgrounds and with varied concerns

· Strong sense of initiative and follow-through

· Creativity and strong sense of strategic thinking

· Adaptability; ability to reflect and learn from past successes and failures

· Commitment to the labor movement and to worker empowerment and leadership

· Candidates should have taken the bar exam (in any state) by the summer of 2026; we are aware that bar results for new graduates may be pending

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

· This is a full-time, hybrid role. Our offices are located in New Brunswick, NJ and Newark, NJ.

Salary and Benefits:

· Competitive salary commensurate with experience; minimum salary is $94,000.

· Benefits package includes health care, dental, and life insurance; employer retirement match, professional development, and possible loan repayment assistance

· Generous PTO, including: 22 accrued vacation days, 8 holidays, 4 float/personal days, and 12 sick days per year.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please send a resume, cover letter, legal writing sample, and at least two references to AAUP-BHSNJ Executive Director Diomedes Tsitouras at executive.director@aaupbhsnj.org with the subject line “Law Fellow Application.”

AAUP-BHSNJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, LGBTQ people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.