CHRISTOPHER M. PATTI LEGAL FELLOW

at  University of California Office of the President

POSITION SUMMARY

The UC Legal - Office of General Counsel (OGC), in partnership with Berkeley Law, is offering two (2) one-year full-time fellowships, commencing on or about September 2025, to recent Berkeley Law graduates interested in exploring a career in public service. The Christopher M. Patti Legal Fellowship is named for Berkeley’s esteemed former Chief Campus Counsel, Christopher M. Patti. Chris was a member of OGC for more than 27 years, and served as Berkeley’s Chief Campus Counsel for the last seven years of his life. He was a constitutional law expert, known for his integrity and keen insights in the face of complex legal challenges. Chris was deeply committed to issues of equity and diversity, including access to higher education for all underrepresented minorities and the advancement of LGBTQ rights. He was a problem-solver and exceptional counselor - his colleagues and people across the University prized Chris’s perceptive and pragmatic advice. In August 2017, Chris tragically passed away in an accident during one of his beloved biking excursions.
The Christopher M. Patti Legal Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for a new lawyer to gain experience in the broad spectrum of issues facing public and non-profit entities. UC, as a constitutionally created public institution, employs over 100 attorneys systemwide who provide services from compliance counseling to litigation. Specific areas of practice include affirmative action, constitutional law, contracts, employment, free speech, governance, intellectual property, international research affiliations, public-private partnerships, public and private research collaborations, real estate developments, sexual violence and sexual harassment, student/faculty/staff affairs, and UC’s unique status as a constitutionally protected public corporation. Under the supervision of OGC attorneys, the Fellows will conduct legal research; draft documents; attend client meetings, hearings, and negotiations, as appropriate and possible; and participate in other activities intended to expose the Fellows to the practice of law and substance of OGC’s specialties. The Fellows would have the opportunity to work both at OGC and at the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs.
Responsibilities

90% Client Service

• Under the supervision of OGC attorney(s), learns collaborative and consultative practices to begin establishing relationships with key internal (local and system-wide) and external constituencies (e.g., the public, government agencies, outside counsel, et cetera).
• Becomes skilled at providing counsel to UC clients on standard to moderately complex matters.
• Utilizes best practice research methods and effectively communicates advice- both in writing and verbally.
• Learns to assess and manage priorities effectively.
• Effectively consults with supervisor regarding development and presentation of alternative approaches for addressing an issue, to include risk analysis.
• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with OGC data quality protocols.
• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.

10% Leadership

• Practices OGC’s established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.
• Learns to provide clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.
• Supports OGC’s commitment to diversity efforts - participates in events and complies with University efforts such as diversity awareness training.

Required Qualifications

• Interest in pursuing a career with public or non-profit entities, possibly in the field of higher education. Interest in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, and California public policy. Excellent academic credentials. Keen analytical skills
• Ability to gain skills in collaboration and creative thinking to effectively partner with other attorneys and a diverse spectrum of clients. Ability to work collegially and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented, fast-paced work environment.
• Basic understanding of legal issues in a University counsel setting.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills, including strong ability to actively listen to understand and differentiate critical aspects of issue, prior to offering counsel. Aptitude for communicating persuasively verbally and in writing. Demonstrated written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
• With mentoring in this Fellowship, the capacity to develop into the kind of exceptional counselor and lawyer that Chris Patti exemplified.
• Ability to acquire skills to draft accurate and complete legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.

EDUCATION: REQUIRED - MUST HAVE RECEIVED A J.D. FROM BERKELEY LAW WITHIN THE PAST 3 YEARS, INCLUDING 2025 (2023 TO 2025).

License/Certifications: Required - Current member in good standing of the California Bar Association or anticipated to sit for the exam in July 2025 or later, with the prior approval of OGC.

Please refer the Job description for details