Staff Attorney - Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic, Penn State Dickinson Law, University Park

The Pennsylvania State University
paid time off, sick time, remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Sep 29, 2025
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. POSITION SPECIFICS Penn State Dickinson Law, University Park, is seeking to hire a Staff Attorney for its Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic. The Staff Attorney would report to the Director of the Clinic and the more senior Staff Attorney in the Clinic and will be located at the Happy Valley LaunchBox in downtown State College, PA, where the Clinic has its offices. The Staff Attorney would be expected to work with and supervise law students in the diverse business law issues that confront new companies, including choice of business entity, arrangements among owners, governance, employment, fundraising, and equity compensation. The Staff Attorney must be capable of practicing with limited supervision in general business areas, in particular, with respect to Pennsylvania's limited liability company law. The Staff Attorney must also be comfortable giving presentations to student, entrepreneur, and economic development groups regarding the legal issues related to starting and growing businesses. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in, and preferably experience with, startup and early-stage companies. The Clinic represents entrepreneurial teams and their companies throughout Pennsylvania, typically using Zoom or a similar service for meetings. Relevant experience includes law school courses on entrepreneurship, securities, corporations, unincorporated businesses, and income tax, as well as clinical courses that provided applicants with experiential learning in the form of actual client counseling and drafting documents for company founders. It would also be beneficial for candidates to be familiar with the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Penn State, its Commonwealth Campuses, the Small Business Development Centers, and the various accelerators, incubators and economic-development organizations that contribute to the development of new businesses in Pennsylvania. Applicants should enjoy working in a collaborative environment, as the LaunchBox is an open co-working facility with substantial interaction among the occupants every day. Applicants would also be expected to work closely with the law students in the Clinic and be patient with revising their documents and counseling them about appropriate legal strategies for the Clinic's clients. Applicants with a willingness to engage critically with praxis-oriented scholarship, connecting legal theory to pedagogical and community-based practice are preferred. Candidates must be a member of the Pennsylvania bar or eligible to become a member in the future, which typically requires a J.D. or L.L.B. from an ABA-accredited law school or higher. Applicantsmay be recent graduates with no practicing experience, although related experience would be helpful. A start date in fall 2025 is anticipated. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Interested applicants should submit a resume that describes their qualifications and suitability for the position, along with a cover letter that describes their interest in entrepreneurship and the position. This is a limited-term appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with the possibility of re-funding. MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS Juris Doctor (JD) No prior relevant work experience required Required Certifications: Licensed Attorney - Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $115,100.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines