Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship in Law 2026-2028

UCLA School of Law's Native Nations Law and Policy Center seeks applicants for the position of the Richard M. Milanovich Fellow for the 2026-2028 academic years. This fellowship is a full-time, two-year academic position, with an expected start date of July 1, 2026. This fellowship offers the opportunity to work in academic and practice contexts with Native Nations faculty, students, and community members on projects in furtherance of the mission of the Native Nations Law and Policy Center. The position is well-suited for a recent law school graduate with interest in federal Indian law, tribal law, and/or international Indigenous human rights, who is ultimately planning a career in academia or policy.

The Native Nations Law & Policy Center serves as a research-based institution within the School of Law focused on all aspects of Indigenous rights. Among other things, the Center houses the Tribal Legal Development Clinic, which connects students to Native American communities to strengthen tribal legal systems while protecting and advancing tribal cultural and legal values. The Center also addresses critical public policy issues facing Native Nations while offering students invaluable opportunities for legal training. The Richard M. Milanovich Fellowship is made possible by a generous commitment from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The fellowship is named for the late Richard M. Milanovich who served as the Tribal Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from 1984 until his death in 2012.

Program

The Richard M. Milanovich Fellows will be expected to conduct scholarly research and writing, and produce at least one legal academic article of publishable quality. The Fellows will be expected to attend and assist with the planning and execution of Native Nations Law and Policy Center events, attend scholarly talks and conferences - including, inter alia, the California Indian Law Association Conference and the FBA/NABA Conference - and otherwise engage in the intellectual life of the law school, including attending faculty workshops. The Fellows will also have a public-facing role, engaging with tribal leaders, communicating with donors, and serving as an ambassador for the Fellowship and for NNLPC.

The bulk of their time will be devoted to research and scholarship as directed by the Faculty Director of the Native Nations Law and Policy Center. Fellows will also support the Tribal Legal Development Clinic Director in supervising Clinic projects and support Native American Law Student Association students in the NALSA Moot Court Competition. In addition to these year-round responsibilities, in consultation with, and approval of, the Faculty Director, Fellows sometimes take on teaching responsibilities during the school year. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in a career involving teaching and research and in advancing Indian nations' laws and institutions.

The position is a non-tenure track, full-time, year-round, limited-term appointment. See Table 23 at https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $75,000 per year, with a competitive benefits package, and some research and travel support.

Qualifications

All candidates must hold a J.D. or Ph.D. (or equivalent) conferred within the past ten (10) years. Applicants should have a strong law school record and have demonstrated an outstanding aptitude for producing independent legal scholarship. Fellows will be chosen on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to a scholarly career, the quality of their research proposal, and an assessment of their potential for success on the legal academic market.

Application Instructions

Please apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10648 by submitting pdf copies of the following materials:

* A cover letter summarizing the applicant's interest in and qualifications for the fellowship;

* A resume or CV;

* An official transcript;

* A research statement of no more than five pages focusing on the candidate's research interests;

* Writing sample of no more than 20 pages in length;

* A statement reflecting on the candidate's personal and professional experiences, highlighting past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan.

* Names and contact information for at least three references.

Program: https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/native-nations-law-policy-center

J.D. or Ph.D. (or equivalent)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Names and contact information for at least three references

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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