The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine was founded to serve as an engine of innovation, talent, and economic growth for Maine and northern New England. The Institute is supporting and catalyzing the entrepreneurial ecosystem through its venture accelerator and founder residency programs. The Legal Fellow program is designed to provide an additional resource within the Institute's entrepreneurial programming. This Legal Fellow position is ideal for recent law school graduates interested using their JD in an innovative, entrepreneurial and inter-disciplinary environment.
Reporting to the Institute's Director of Entrepreneurship and under the supervision of a Maine licensed attorney (the 'Supervisor'), the Legal Fellow will be an integral member of the Roux Entrepreneurship team and work in collaboration with the team's program managers to assist the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities, seeking to launch new and creative businesses focused on Applied AI in Life Sciences, Materials &Manufacturing, Modernization of Natural Resources and Cyber Security.
This is a one-year position based in Portland, Maine, with the opportunity toextend to a second-year term during which the Legal Fellow would have the option to serve as a Legal Fellow with one of the Institute's partners.Such second term will be at the discretion of the Institute.
Responsibilities:
Meet with the Institute's portfolio of start-ups/ entrepreneurs/ventures;
Help entrepreneurs/ventures identify legal issues and prepare entrepreneurs/ventures for meetings with outside attorney service providers for purposes of obtaining legal advice.
Learn how to engage with company founders, and provide guidance and counseling to the portfolio of start-ups/entrepreneurs/ventures;
Prepare informational memos regarding various legal questions, with a particular focus on business formation, IP, and data privacy/protection issues;
Present legal workshops and seminars on relevant topics, including modules on IP issues, policies and processes to the Roux portfolio companies and the Maine start-up ecosystem; and
Such other matters or issues as the Director of Entrepreneurship deems appropriate in consultation with the Supervisor.
The Legal Fellow will collaborate with Northeastern University School of Law's IPCO-LAB and Community Business Clinics, as needed, to further support the Institute's start-ups/entrepreneurs/ventures and will help identify entrepreneurial prospects for the Institute.
Working in collaboration with Northeastern University School of Law's Director of the Office of New Markets, the Legal Fellow will also serve as an Institute resource to the Greater Portland legal community that works in and supports the entrepreneurial eco-system.
Supervision and Mentoring:
Supervision of the Legal Fellow will be provided by a Maine licensed attorney.
The Legal Fellow will have the opportunity to be mentored by the Northeastern University School of Law's IP CoL AB and Community Business Clinic directors and its Director of Office of New Markets.
Qualifications:
Essential experience, skills and education:
A Northeastern University School of Law graduate with a passion for and focus on technology, innovation, IP, research, and the start- up/entrepreneurship eco-system
Relevant law school clinic experience, such as IP Co-Lab, Small Business Community Clinic, NU Law Lab and/or IDEA
Relevant co-op experience (and/or previous work experience), including some combination of experience working with and/or advising on data privacy/protection, IP, business formation, transactional/commercial transactions and/or tax matters
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, responsiveness, an entrepreneurial mindset, strong collaboration skills, demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships, demonstrated initiative, and the ability to work successfully independently and under supervision;
Candidates must have graduated from the School of Law within the last 2 years to be eligible; and
Admission to Maine Bar or admission within a reasonable time period, as determined by the Institute.
Compensation:
Annual salary of $75,000.00, benefits eligible (including health/dental/vision; vacation time and tuition reimbursement for Northeastern degree/certificate programs));
Annual allowance of up to $1,500.00 for professional development/association membership to be separately funded by
Northeastern University School of Law (subject to advance approval by the Institute and Northeastern University School of Law);
Legal Malpractice/Professional Liability insurance coverage to be provided by Northeastern University
The Roux Institute is strongly committed to fostering excellence through diversity and recognizes the strength that diversity in all its forms brings to the research endeavor. We invite applications from all qualified candidates and enthusiastically welcome applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Position Type
Research
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs?our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning?build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.