Close Date: April 11, 2025
Position Title: Palmer Fellow in Policy and Advocacy
Department/Unit: Schulich School of Law – General
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number: S052-25
Employee Group: None
Position Type: Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable): 1 year
Employment Type: Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE): 1
Salary: $85,000

Classification:
Provisional Statement:
The Palmer Fellow in Policy and Advocacy will work to safeguard and promote foundational democratic rights through strategic litigation and policy work related to Canadian democracy and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Fellow is expected to develop their own strategy for impactful programming but will work closely with the Palmer Chair in Public Policy and the Law in developing their priorities.

About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social, and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary
The Schulich School of Law offers a unique and enlightened approach to legal education. Reporting to the Dean of Law, the Palmer Fellow in Policy and Advocacy will work to safeguard and promote foundational democratic rights through strategic litigation and policy work related to Canadian democracy and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Fellow is expected to develop their own strategy for impactful programming but will work closely with the Palmer Chair in Public Policy and the Law in developing their priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with interested parties or civil advocacy organizations to safeguard and promote foundational democratic rights through strategic litigation.

• Develop an ambitious and impactful agenda which prioritizes engagement in areas of Canadian democracy at particular risk, or in support of vulnerable communities whose rights are under threat.

• Mentor and supervise senior law students enrolled in the clinical advocacy course.

• Collaborate with the Palmer Chair and members of the Law and Technology Institute to contribute to the vibrant intellectual community at Schulich, including through participating in the faculty seminar series, and other workshops and events hosted at the university.

Note
With financial support from the Palmer Chair fund, the Dean of Law will work with the Chair and the Fellow to establish a budget to support the Fellow’s work and travel, in keeping with Dalhousie’s expenditure policies and the terms of the donor’s gift. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit both a cover letter and CV demonstrating their qualifications and relevant experience for this position.

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• A practicing member of the bar association in either Ontario or Nova Scotia.

• Minimum 3 years experience in litigation, with a preference for substantial engagement with constitutional matters and a familiarity with questions relating to emerging technologies.

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and democracy and/or public interest law.

Assets

Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:

• Self-Awareness & Professionalism

• Integrity

• Respect & Inclusion

• Adaptability

• Service

Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program, and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration
Applications from university employees and external candidates are given concurrent consideration. Among short-listed candidates, university employees will be given special consideration.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies: 1
Open Date: 03/21/2025
Close Date: 04/11/2025
Open Until Filled: No

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/18434

Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents:

• Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents:

• Cover Letter

Posted: April 3, 2025