The University of Georgia School of Law hired a civil rights lawyer this month to lead its new First Amendment Clinic. Now, the clinic is looking for its first fellow—someone with a J.D. and a "demonstrated commitment to public interest law."

A judicial clerkship wouldn't hurt either. And top grades. Along with "excellent written and oral communication skills."

The job is posted on the UGA human resources website. It's a one-year appointment—with the potential for renewal, pending funding. According to the post, the clinic's two primary goals are to:

1. Defend and advance the rights of free speech, press, assembly and petition via regional litigation and advocacy, and
2. Provide law students with the practice and real-world experience to become leaders on First Amendment issues. The clinic will also "serve as a resource for organizations, journalists, and members of the public on issues of free expression."

The boss will be Clare R. Norins, a former associate with New York boutique Beldock Levine & Hoffman. She started work Feb. 3 as the clinic's inaugural director. She also will serve as an assistant clinical professor and teach a seminar course on the First Amendment. Norins has worked in private practice, government and education. At Beldock Levine, she handled Section 1983 litigation of First Amendment and other constitutional claims. She served as class counsel on behalf of 1,200 political demonstrators, journalists and bystanders arrested in connection with what she described as "protected expressive conduct" during the 2004 Republican National Convention. She also represented individuals and public employees in First Amendment discrimination and retaliation claims in federal court against the city of New York.

"I've always approached the law from a social justice perspective," Norins told the Daily Report after starting work. "The First Amendment is a very rich area of the law."

The effort to establish the clinic was announced last fall with a $900,000 gift from the Stanton Foundation, an organization established by former television broadcasting executive Frank Stanton. The law school plans to officially open the First Amendment Clinic in the fall of 2020.

"I'm excited about this," tweeted UGA media and law Professor Jonathan Peters, @jonathanwpeters—quoting the job posting and referencing Georgia football and its head coach as an incentive. "Not mentioned: I'll buy you a visor like Kirby Smart's to wear in court."