Visiting Professor of Legal Writing

Job Title:

Visiting Professor of Legal Writing

Job Summary:

The School of Law at the University of San Francisco is seeking a full-time non-tenure track Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis Professor for the upcoming academic year. The faculty member guides first year law students through their first foray into legal writing and research, so they are best equipped to analyze, write and research about complex legal issues. The faculty member will teach two sections each semester comprised of approximately 20 students per class. During the fall semester, the professor will teach predictive writing and legal analysis. The spring semester will focus on persuasive writing, legal research, and oral advocacy. The spring semester culminates in a moot court event where alumni attorneys act as judges during oral arguments. The small class size fosters collaboration and allows faculty to adapt instruction to particular classroom needs and provide individualized feedback. This feedback is core to the school’s legal writing program. In addition, the professor may teach an additional class semester as negotiated with the Associate Dean or Dean. Housing assistance for a visiting professor may be available.

Full Job Description:

Job Responsibilities

• Effective teaching and classroom instruction, including delivering lectures and facilitating class discussions and exercises on legal analysis, writing, and legal research.

• Use formative assessment techniques in order to provide students with extensive feedback on their writing, research, analysis, citations, oral presentations, and understanding of course material.

• Observe regular office hours and be available to students during office hours and by appointment.

• Prepare course syllabi, practice assignments, handouts, midterms, final exams, and relevant course materials.

• Grade and evaluate students’ coursework and submit grades promptly by established deadlines.

• Advise students and provide mentorship on legal writing, professionalism, and academic, bar prep, and curricula issues.

• Supervise upper-level students to develop the spring moot court topic.

• Collaborate with other Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis faculty on research and writing assignments, curriculum development, events, meetings, and orientations.

• Additional duties as assigned by the Dean or Associate Dean.

Minimum Requirements

Understanding and commitment to USF’s mission, vision, and values. 

JD obtained at an ABA accredited law school.

Additional Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 2-5 years teaching experience preferred

• Practice experience preferred

• Background in litigation, moot court, or other oral advocacy program

• Excellent legal writing, editing, and research skills

• Experience with or the ability to work with a diverse student body, faculty and staff

• Demonstrated ability to provide clear constructive feedback to students with differing educational and social backgrounds

• Member of the California Bar preferred
   

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The professor will provide lectures in a classroom or mock courtroom setting and counsel students in an office, by telephone or electronic communication. These duties may require standing or sitting for long periods of time, transporting class materials, and working at a computer or desk.

Application Requirements:

Please apply with the following information:

• Cover letter indicating the reasons for your interest in USF

• A current curriculum vitae, clearly stating your teaching experience

• Applicants must include a Diversity Statement with their application.  The diversity statement can include evidence of:

  • Experience working with or commitment to multicultural, underrepresented, underserved, and diverse communities;

  • Experience working with or commitment to: people of color; first generation scholars; transgender and non-binary people; people living with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people

  • Experience with or commitment to engaging students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, religious affiliations, and sexual orientations;

  • Knowledge of or sensitivity to the specific concerns and issues of underrepresented populations

• Course evaluations

References will be solicited from finalists and do not need to be submitted with the initial application.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$80,000 - $95,000 annualized; commensurate with experience