The U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law (“Asia Program”) at Vermont Law School invites applications for a two-year graduate fellowship starting in August 2015. The fellowship combines the opportunity to obtain an LLM in Environmental Law, an LLM in American Legal Studies or a Master’s degree from one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation with the opportunity to gain practical international environmental law experience on a variety of policy coordination, research, and educational outreach projects. The fellowship includes a full tuition waiver. A salary stipend of up to $35,000 may be available for the selected fellow depending on available funding.
NATURE OF THE FELLOWSHIP
The Fellow will work closely with the faculty director, the program director and other team members of the Asia Program to help coordinate and implement the range of projects being carried out. In addition to pursuing an LLM or a Masters’ degree, the fellow will work closely with Asia Program faculty and will take the lead role in at least one major project.
The goal of the Asia Program is to strengthen the rule of law in environmental protection and to build capacity among individuals and academic, government, and private-sector institutions to solve pollution and energy problems. The program has three main objectives:
- strengthen the capacity of the educational, governmental, nonprofit, and business sectors in China and Southeast Asia to become effective environmental and energy problem solvers;
- improve the policies, systems, laws, and regulations in China and Southeast Asia to advance the development and enforcement of environmental and energy law and to help develop the rule of law;
- enhance municipal, provincial, national, and international networks in China and Southeast Asia to advance best practices in environmental protection and energy regulation.
These objectives are being pursued through environmental and energy law workshops and conferences in China, Southeast Asia and the U.S., through efforts to build the institutional capacity of law schools, NGOs, courts, and government agencies, and through student and faculty-led research and policy development projects.
For more information about the U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law, please visit the program’s homepage.
FELLOWSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications for the Asia Program Fellowship include:
- admission to the LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in American Legal Studies programs, or one of VLS Master’s Degrees
- a demonstrated commitment to environmental or energy issues in China/Asia
- prior practice or other experience in environmental or energy law
- strong legal writing and communications skills
Language skills in Chinese or one of the Southeast Asian languages will greatly strengthen a prospective fellow’s application.
FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS
- Tuition Waiver for the LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in American Legal Studies or one of the VLS Master’s Degrees
- $35,000 stipend per year (subject to budget approval)
FELLOWSHIP DEADLINE
The deadline for completed LLM applications and submission of fellowship materials is May 1.
FELLOWSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
- Admission to the LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in American Legal Studies program or one of the VLS Master’s Degrees
- Demonstrated commitment to energy and/or environmental law in Asia
- Prior practice or other experience in energy law and policy
- Strong legal writing and communication skills
- Some Chinese language skills
FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Application for LLM in Environmental Law or American Legal Studies OR
- Application for Masters degree program
- Apply online at apply.vermontlaw.edu
In addition to the LLM or Master’s application requirements, please submit the following:
- Statement of interest specific to the fellowship (not to exceed one page)
- One Letter of Recommendation specific to the fellowship
HOW TO SUBMIT MATERIALS
All fellowship materials should be sent to admiss@vermontlaw.edu and must include a clear reference to the fellowship. Electronic submissions are preferred. If unable to send electronically, please send materials to:
Vermont Law School Admissions Office
U.S.-Asia Partnership LLM Fellowship
PO Box 96
South Royalton, VT 05068
DECISION PROCESS
Fellowship candidates will be forwarded to the U.S.-Asia Partnership by May 15. Fellowship offers will be made by June 1.
LLM DEGREES
LLM IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
The LLM in Environmental Law degree is designed for a select group of post-JD candidates seeking to specialize in the practice of environmental law, or pursue careers in teaching, research, or public policy. Candidates include recent law school graduates and practicing lawyers who wish to develop an environmental law specialty. The cornerstone of the LLM program is the Graduate Seminar. A minimum of 30 academic credits are required to complete the program. For the Asia Program fellow, this thirty credit program is spread over two years. Vermont Law School’s environmental law curriculum includes more than fifty courses in environmental law, policy, science, and ethics. For more information about the LLM in Environmental Law degree program, please visit the LLM degree page.
Citizen Yang 