The University of North Carolina School of Law is proud to announce a prestigious fellowship opportunity with its new Institute for Military and Veterans Law, beginning in Fall 2026. This program is one of only a handful of opportunities at American law schools for fellowships that focus on the legal issues surrounding servicemembers and their families.

Since the foundation of the Military and Veterans Law Clinic in 2018, UNC School of Law has cultivated a reputation for excellence in both military law and veterans law. Faculty and students in the Military and Veterans Law Clinic represent low-income former servicemembers who have been wrongfully denied veterans benefits. The Institute for Military and Veterans Law will use the unique data set generated by the Military and Veterans Law Clinic to improve and proliferate the research, scholarship, and educational contributions of UNC School of Law to the military law and veterans law fields.

The Fellow will primarily research the impact of military law, military systems, and the increased understanding of mental health on former servicemembers and veterans. Their interdisciplinary research will generate both scholarship and educational opportunities designed to improve knowledge at the operational, strategic, and policy levels. The Fellow will work under the supervision of Professor John Brooker, Director of the Institute for Military and Veterans Law, as well as Professor Kim Tran, Ph.D., and Professor Tod Leaven, who will serve as Deputy Directors.

The Fellow will assist with Military and Veterans Law Clinic cases and may supervise and mentor clinic students. The Fellow will also be expected to teach one substantive course on a topic related to military law, veterans law, public international law, or leadership.

This is a two-year fellowship, with an initial appointment for one year and a strong expectation of renewal. The fellowship is designed to support both academic career preparation and professional development. Fellows interested in pursuing a career in legal academia will receive structured mentorship, dedicated time for research and writing, and support in preparing for the academic job market. Those focused on developing expertise in policy or leadership positions will gain unparalleled experience in understanding the substantive practical and legal issues facing military members and their families, thereby positioning them for elite roles in government, private practice, or public interest.

- Ten years or more of legal practice as a uniformed or civilian attorney employed within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Master of Laws (LL.M.) Degree in Military Law or Criminal Law
- Experience in leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)