The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for four (04) positions of Clinic Co-Directors for the Labour Law Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, Caste Justice Clinic, Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic (one for each clinic).  Read more about the Clinics down below.

Clinic Co-Directors will be appointed on contract for an initial period of twelve (12) months, and this may be extended for a further period based on mutual agreement. This role is based at the University campus, Bengaluru.

About the Role

We seek candidates committed to delivering an exceptional clinical education programme, integrating rigorous clinic-based research with impactful litigation and reflective teaching. The role involves identifying litigation partnerships, supervising students in live client work, contributing to strategic litigation and policy-oriented research.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Teaching

• Co-developing and teaching a credit-bearing clinical course with a focus on how to integrate litigation work and strategies into academic curricula.
• Coordinating training and supervision of students engaged in Clinic work.

Litigation

• Designing, delivering, and managing the respective Clinic.
• Developing the Clinic’s strategy, work plans, and operational frameworks.
• Building a roster of litigation and legal aid cases that the clinic can take up for representation, and focus on setting up a practice from within the Clinic.
• Supervising legal aid initiatives undertaken by the Clinic.
• Expanding experiential learning opportunities through fieldwork and outreach.
• Mentoring and monitoring the work of fellows selected under the fellowship programme who may be assigned.

Programme Management and Outreach

• Supervise the Clinic’s team, including researchers, lawyers, and paralegals.
• Identifying and sustaining partnerships with various stakeholders, legal services authorities, and civil society organisations.
• Developing standard operating procedures and clinical guidelines.
• Expanding experiential learning opportunities through fieldwork and outreach.

Research Engagement

• In collaboration with the Clinic Faculty Director and Clinic researchers, guide the clinic’s research outputs, including designing and executing a comprehensive research plan for the Clinic in the relevant area of the clinic’s work.
• Ensuring and contributing to annual research outputs individually or collaboratively.

Reporting Structure:

The Clinic Co-Directors will report to the Director, Clinics and Fellowships, NLSIU. They will work in close collaboration with the faculty and staff at the Clinics and the University at large.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications for the role:

Essential:

• Graduate degree in Law, with valid enrollment in any State Bar Council.
• Minimum six (06) years of post-qualification combined experience in litigation, legal research, or clinical legal education.
• Demonstrated practical experience in the relevant field, having worked in various courts across the country.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English.

Desirable:

• A postgraduate degree in law or a related discipline is desirable.
• Prior experience in clinical legal education, participatory teaching, or programme development is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in the specific area of law of the clinic.
• Proficiency in speaking, and/or reading and writing any Indian languages fluently.
• Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Kannada.

Key Attributes:

• Commitment to delivering high-quality clinical legal education and litigation outputs
• Strong analytical ability and attention to detail.
• The disposition and willingness to work collaboratively.
• Proven team management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage with civil society organisations, government authorities, and other stakeholders.

Compensation

Commensurate with demonstrated skills and experience. The University has approved a consultancy fee band of between Rs. 1,00,000/- to 1,50,000/- per month.

How to Apply

Please use the Google form, and include the following documents:

1. An updated CV
2. A statement of purpose (500 words) outlining your vision for the Clinic and suitability for the role
3. Contact details of two professional referees

For any queries, please write to .

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 15, 2026 (5 PM IST).

About the Clinics 

• Labour Law Clinic, NLSIU

The Labour Law Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, seeks to strengthen access to justice for workers, particularly those who are engaged in precarious work, and have lesser access to organised representation. Through sustained legal representation and support, and community outreach, the Clinic will enhance access to legal services for workers. The Clinic will engage in litigation, and research in labour law, with special emphasis on informal workers and emerging forms of employment.

The Clinic aims to supplement the efforts of legal aid and legal representation for workers initially in Karnataka and gradually across India.   Together with the Centre for Labour Studies at NLSIU, the Clinic will engage in policy research and assist policy implementation – across state and national levels. The Clinic will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to the field and collaborate with trade unions, worker collectives, employer associations, legal services authorities, and civil society organisations.

The Labour Law Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit at NLSIU, where students will work on litigation, legal aid, research, and policy outputs under close faculty and legal supervision.

• Criminal Justice Clinic, NLSIU

The Criminal Justice Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore will be a vital bridge between rigorous classroom education and real-world advocacy, empowering students to engage directly with the complexities of India’s criminal justice system. Under the guidance of experienced faculty and practitioners, the clinic will immerse students in hands-on work addressing wrongful arrests, custodial violence, bail reform, and rehabilitation for accused individuals. The Clinic will collaborate with legal aid organisations, prisons, and courts across Karnataka and beyond, and give students the opportunity to translate classroom knowledge of  substantive criminal law into practical legal strategies and action, fostering a commitment to justice.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will under close faculty and professional legal supervision, interview clients, conduct legal research, draft legal submissions and support legal representation of litigants in trial courts and High Courts. Over time, the Clinic will contribute to policy research and support  amicus curiae briefs on various concerns in the criminal justice system. These engagements will  sharpen drafting, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy skills and expose students to ethical dilemmas, cultural sensitivities, and the socio-economic realities shaping criminal law litigation.

• Caste Justice Clinic, NLSIU

The Caste Justice Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore will provide students with practical experience in developing robust legal responses to caste-based discrimination. Led by faculty and legal professionals, the clinic will develop legal strategies to respond to everyday challenges for marginalized caste groups including access to public services, workplace bias, and community disputes. The Clinic will begin by working with local legal aid groups in Karnataka and gradually expand its work nation-wide. Students will have the opportunity to apply various areas of law to concrete cases and gain hands-on exposure by responding to individual and community needs.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will learn effective legal practice in caste-related matters, thereby improving access to justice for marginalized communities. Students will, under close faculty and professional supervision conduct client interviews, prepare legal documents such as complaints and representations, assist with court matters. The initial work of the Clinic will focus on representation in securing caste certificates and interventions in cases under The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989.

• Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic

The Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic seeks to provide legal assistance in cases under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and allied legislations, and conduct law and policy research in this area. The clinic will be led by faculty and legal professionals experienced in research and practice in the fields of citizenship and immigration law. The clinic will focus on expanding legal aid to cases of citizenship and immigration law by providing legal representation and advice to individuals in cases of citizenship determination, asylum/refugee status, deportation, and detention. Wherever possible, the clinic will work closely with authorities under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will learn effective legal practice in the area, thereby improving access to justice. The Clinic will also conduct research on citizenship and immigration law in India, in order to identify areas of policy reform. Students in the clinic will work on assigned cases under close supervision of consultant advocates and clinic leadership, and learn about litigation strategy, drafting, and legal research, in addition to becoming experts in specific laws. The Clinic’s activities will begin in the states of Karnataka and Assam in the first year, and expand to other states thereafter.