The University of California, Davis, School of Law seeks a Director for its Small Farmer Water Justice Clinic starting August 1, 2025. Pursuant to a grant from the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Clinic will provide technical legal assistance to small farmers and small farmer organizations related to the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”). In addition to meeting the pressing needs of the small farmer communities, the Clinic will provide valuable training and experience for UC Davis law students and help create a pipeline of trained and experienced attorneys.

Specific activities and functions the Director will undertake on behalf of the Clinic include, but are not limited to:
(1) collaborate and provide legal assistance to organizations helping small farmers, including the Community Alliance for Family Farmers (“CAFF”)
(2) assess the risks, barriers, and opportunities for small farmers with respect to SGMA’s implementation
(3) develop outreach and engagement materials for small farmers;
(4) identify approaches to assist small farmers in in the planning processes of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (“GSAs”) and in the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (“GSPs”);
(5) supervise and direct law students to provide high-quality legal services (including advising and counseling small farmers and organizations, conducting legal research, and drafting guidance memoranda and other documents).
(6) provide legal assistance to small farmers in the implementation of GSPs and report on groundwater adjudications in prioritized basins.
(7) supervise a paralegal hired by the Clinic;
(8) teach and assist in the development of the curriculum as part of the classroom component of the Clinic;
(9) supervise and collaborate with administrative staff to effectively manage grant reporting requirements related to the project; and
(10) serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Clinic and its mission;

This is a full-time, non-tenure-track lecturer appointment for one year with a possibility of a continuing appointment depending on funding. The Clinic is currently funded through June 30, 2026 with possible amendments to extend.

We seek candidates with the following qualifications:
• Juris Doctor from an A.B.A. approved law school. 
• Excellent litigation, analytical, legal writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills. 
• Experience teaching clinical law or supervising law students. 
• Interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. 
• Management and leadership skills. 
• Must be a member of a state bar for at least five years. Must be a member of the California Bar by January 2026.

The desired qualifications for this position are:
• Administrative experience managing a Center and/or Clinic at a law school.
• Familiarity with the law school's students, faculty and alumni.
• Litigation experience including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, negotiation, briefing, and oral advocacy.
• Administrative law practice experience (specifically participating in hearings and notice & comment). 
• Experience working with government agencies and managing grants.
• Familiarity with water law.
• Experience with the farm community and the grassroots movement for water justice.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Review of candidates will begin July 2, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. We recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible.

Candidates should apply via our online recruitment system only at https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07170 .

More Info: https://law.ucdavis.edu/clinics/water-justice-clinic.html & https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07170