FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION

In partnership with the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law and Policy, Inc. and Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy, the Animal Law and Policy Institute (ALPI) at Vermont Law and Graduate School is pleased to offer up to three premier Animal Law and Policy LLM Fellowships for the 2024-2025 academic year. The fellowship combines the opportunity to obtain an Animal Law LLM from one of the nation's leading animal and environmental law programs while gaining practical animal law and policy experience through a variety of projects. The fellowship includes a full tuition waiver and a $35,000 stipend to cover expenses. 

The Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy LLM Fellowships are designed for exceptional candidates seeking to engage in fellowship work while earning a unique Animal Law LLM as a full-time student in South Royalton, Vermont. 

Fellowship candidates must demonstrate a commitment to pursuing animal protection and superb scholarship and/or practice potential. Candidates must also meet all requirements for Animal Law LLM admission.

The fellows will work closely with ALPI faculty and staff, and other fellows to help coordinate and implement a range of projects, including projects in the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic. 

Successful fellowship candidates will have a proven record of academic success in legal studies, demonstrable proficiency in English, a writing sample that demonstrates excellence in legal analysis, and a clearly articulated interest or demonstration of working in animal law. While motivation and potential for success is the priority for selection, a candidate’s financial need may be considered. 

FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS

• Receive scholarly, academic, and career mentorship from ALPI faculty and staff
• Pursue rigorous research intended for either publication in a recognized journal or law review, or demonstrable legal practice expertise that can benefit the animal law community (such as development of a continuing legal education handbook)
• Collaborate with ALPI faculty in projects, research, and/or clinical efforts
• Full tuition (covers 30 credits towards an Animal Law LLM degree and waiver of administrative fees)
• $35,000 stipend to be used towards books and equipment, housing and utilities, meals, transportation, and personal expenses 
• International fellows will also be reimbursed for one round-trip economy airline ticket from/to home, not to exceed $2,500 

FELLOWSHIP QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Admission to the Animal Law LLM program 
• Demonstrated commitment to animal law and policy
• Strong legal writing and communication skills
• Successful interview  
• Agreement to not take part in other paid or significant volunteer work (outside of student activities) during the fellowship 

In addition, please submit the following to animallaw@vermontlaw.edu, subject line “Animal Law LLM Fellowship”: 

• Statement of interest specific to the fellowship (not to exceed one page, 12-point font, single-spaced with one-inch margins)
• One letter of recommendation specific to the fellowship 
• Writing sample
• Optional statement of financial need

Permission to Share Application Materials

As a condition of consideration for a Fellowship, the donor requires candidates to consent to the release of their Fellowship applications and all accompanying materials ("Application") to The Brooks McCormick Jr. Trust for Animal Rights Law and Policy (the "Foundation") and the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law and Policy, Inc., including its employees and Scholars Committee ("Brooks Institute"). By applying for a a Brooks Fellowship, applicants knowingly and voluntarily provide written consent to the Animal Law and Policy Institute and Vermont Law and Graduate School to share their Application with the Foundation and the Brooks Institute. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

Fellowship applications are due by midnight on February 15, 2024 (ET). Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, but no later than April 1. Early applications are strongly encouraged. 

INQUIRIES

For questions about the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy LLM Fellowship, please email animallaw@vermontlaw.edu. For general admissions questions, please contact the admissions office at admiss@vermontlaw.edu.