Tenure-Track Professor of Law (Criminal Defense Clinic)

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for an associate professor to teach in the Washburn Law Clinic and to teach complementary doctrinal courses, beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. Washburn Law has a unitary tenure track with scholarship support including summer writing stipends, year-round research assistants, and funding for travel to conferences. This nine-month tenured/tenure-track position is one of three open tenured/tenure-track positions in the School of Law.

We are particularly interested in applicants qualified to teach in a criminal defense clinic, but all areas of subject expertise will be considered. We seek engaging candidates whose performance to date has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, scholarship, and service or the potential for achievement in each of these job functions. Application materials should clearly articulate the candidate’s record of work supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and state how the candidate will contribute to Washburn University's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices.

Founded in 1970, Washburn University School of Law’s in-house, live client clinical program has been an integral part of the law school curriculum staffed by tenured and tenure-track positions. Washburn Law Clinic practice areas include Family Justice & Immigration, Civil Practice, Criminal Defense, and Small Business & Nonprofit Transactional Law. Washburn also hosts a Criminal Appeals Advocacy Clinic administered in cooperation with the Kansas Appellate Defender Office. The Criminal Defense section has historically practiced in state court, municipal court, and tribal court and been actively involved with the bar in conducting Clean Slate Days.

Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution. The Washburn campus is located in the heart of Topeka, Kansas, blocks from the historic state capitol. Topeka features affordable housing; beautiful, historic neighborhoods with well-maintained parks; and a nationally recognized public library. It is also the home of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site.

Washburn University School of Law is committed to diversity in its faculty and encourages applicants whose backgrounds will enrich the law school. We offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, a supportive leadership team, and a healthy work/life balance. At Washburn, we strive to ensure a campus climate that

supports the success of every employee and appreciates the unique skills and expertise each contributes to serving our students.

Required Qualifications:
• A JD degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• A demonstrated commitment to clinical legal education.
• Kansas bar license or eligibility to apply for a restricted license to practice in a clinical setting for the length of the appointment, which does not require the taking of the Kansas state bar exam.
• A demonstrated commitment to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds.
• A demonstrated commitment to institutional service.
• A demonstrated potential for scholarship..

Preferred Qualifications:
• Training or experience appropriate to teach in a criminal defense clinic.
• Training or experience appropriate to teach doctrinal criminal-related courses complementary to the clinic such as in the areas of evidence, mediation, and professional responsibility.

Responsibilities:
• The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling teaching expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment, teaching a full workload as outlined in the faculty handbook. They will teach part-time in the clinic and part-time in other doctrinal courses as assigned.
• The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling scholarship expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment.
• The appointed hire will be responsible for fulfilling service expectations associated with a tenured/tenure-track professor appointment.

Application Procedures:
• Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. (All faculty appointments are contingent upon funding.)
• Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and the names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references to facultytalent@washburn.edu and include “Tenure-Track Professor, Criminal Defense Law Clinic” on the subject line.
• If you have questions about the position, please contact Professor Mary Ramirez, Chair, Faculty Recruitment Committee, at mary.ramirez@washburn.edu .
• The successful candidate will be required to submit to a background check prior to hire. Official transcripts are required once hired.

Washburn is an EOE and is dedicated to providing a student-centered and teaching-focused academic and work environment. We seek candidates who are committed to Washburn’s efforts to create a campus climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented and/or marginalized in higher education.
Washburn University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.