WFU/Husch Blackwell Higher Education Law Fellowship
A Mark of Distinction
The Wake Forest University/Husch Blackwell Higher Education Law Fellowship was established by the Wake Forest University Office of General Counsel in June of 2024. The Fellowship is intended to support and promote career advancement for young attorneys interested in learning about legal issues facing institutions of higher education.
The nationally recognized firm of Husch Blackwell sponsors the Fellowship providing peer support, networking and professional development, while the University provides opportunity for the law fellow to work side-by-side with Wake Forest University Office of General Counsel attorneys gaining the experience and mentorship necessary for a successful career in higher education law. The Fellowship also includes immersive experiences in other departments across Wake Forest to provide the law fellow a strong understanding of university operations.
Application window for the 2027 – 2029 fellowship is expected to be open in the Fall of 2026.
CONTACT INFO
Email: legal@wfu.edu
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 7656
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Delivery Address
2130 Eure Drive
Reynolda Hall, Suite 209
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Phone: 336.758.6100
Fax: 336.758.5933
Open to Third-Year Law Students and Recent Law School Graduates
The Wake Forest/Husch Blackwell Higher Education Law Fellowship program is open to third-year law students and recent law school graduates.
The Wake Forest Office of General Counsel provides advice and consultation in a broad range of legal issues in areas such as discrimination and harassment, contract review and drafting, corporate transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance, research, faculty and staff employment and grievance processes, student conduct, threat assessment, and athletics. The Office manages all legal affairs of the University as well as University-controlled affiliates.
Salaried, Limited-Term Position
The Husch Blackwell Higher Education Law Fellowship is a limited-term, two-year position. It offers a competitive salary and includes benefits with professional development opportunities.
The successful candidate must have a J.D. from an accredited American law school and membership in the North Carolina bar or admission within 12 months of hire (selected candidate will be supported through the bar examination process). The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills as evidenced by application materials. A candidate must have strong academic credentials and a demonstrated work ethic, initiative, leadership and motivation toward career goals and the promise of becoming an outstanding attorney in higher education.
Upon passing the bar examination, the law fellow will practice as a licensed attorney in the Office of General Counsel. Supervising attorneys will work closely alongside the Law Fellow to guide the experience and provide valuable feedback and support.
This is a unique opportunity for the law fellow to see the inner workings of the University and higher education in general. Over the two-year experience, the Law Fellow will be immersed within various University departments exposing the fellow to the business of a University through leadership shadowing, engaging in operations and strategy meetings, participating in department activities, and assisting with departmental projects. The fellow will spend approximately 20 hours per week immersed within University departments, and the remaining hours working in the Office of General Counsel and with Husch Blackwell.