Assistant Professor, Legal Research and Writing (9-Mo-NTT)

Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for four open assistant professor faculty positions in the area of legal research and writing.  These full-time, non-tenure-track positions are nine-month appointments that will begin in August 2023. 

These positions will have primary responsibilities in Cumberland’s Lawyering and Legal Reasoning (LLR) program, which includes two foundational courses on legal writing, research, and analysis that are required for all first-year J.D. students.  Each professor will be responsible for teaching two sections of the first-year courses, LLR I (in the fall semester) and LLR II (in the spring semester), as well as one additional course or other activity as directed.  In addition to teaching responsibilities, each professor will  be expected to carry out service obligations to the law school and the university, including committee assignments, as directed.

Required qualifications include a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, and at least two years of experience practicing law or teaching legal writing to lawyers or law students.  Preference will be given to candidates whose backgrounds reflect substantial practice and development of applied legal research and writing skills.  Candidates must have outstanding communication, organizational, and analytical skills; a commitment to academic excellence; and the ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, colleagues, and students. 

Cumberland School of Law prides itself on its commitment to teaching and to ensuring not only the success of its students upon graduation but their recognition of the ethical obligations that flow from being an officer of the court and a servant of the community.  The ideal candidate will thus demonstrate the ability and motivation to develop meaningful mentoring relationships with students both in and out of class.

About Samford

Samford University (www.samford.edu) is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in suburban Birmingham, the University was founded in 1841 and has 430 full time faculty and more than 5,600 students representing 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 18 countries. Samford has been nationally recognized for academics, affordability and value by a number of prestigious publications and rankings. The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranks Samford 1^st nationally for student engagement and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Samford 34^th among private universities in the U.S. for value and affordability. The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin on April 6, 2023, and applications will be accepted until May 6, 2023. Application materials must include a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, application for faculty position (linked below), and the faculty applicant Christian Mission statement (linked below).  In addition, applicants should submit a writing sample, not to exceed 5 pages, (a) reflecting legal analysis or argument or (b) describing the applicant’s practice or teaching experience and his or her goals in teaching legal research and writing.  Any applicant with teaching experience should submit a summary of his or her most recent course evaluations.  Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.  The successful candidate must pass a background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position. Samford University and the Cumberland School of Law embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community.  

“Application for Faculty Position” can be found at:

https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf

“Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement” can be found at:

https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission-Statement.docx

Please submit all materials in PDF format to:

FACAPP@samford.edu

Subject:  Lawyering and Legal Reasoning (LLR)

For questions about the position please contact:

Jeff Anderson, Director, LLR Program

jander14@samford.edu

205-726-4880

Except as specifically exempted by federal law requirements, Samford University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability or age in the administration or application of its educational programs and policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs. Consistent with its Christian mission and organizations, Samford is exempt from the religious provisions of Title VII pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 2000e-1(a) and 2000e-2(e).