Visiting Assistant Professor, Law

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, in Spokane, WA seeks applicants for up to four full-time Visiting Assistant Professors. This position is a 9-month, terminal visiting position beginning in August 2025 with the potential to renew for one or more additional years (contingent upon need and funding). It is ideal for aspiring law professors who plan to apply to tenure-track law school positions in the future. Visiting Assistant Professors will teach about six credits per semester, and our curricular needs include first-year courses, such as Contracts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research & Writing I and II, and Lawyering Skills; upper-level required courses, such as Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, and Legal Research & Writing III; and elective courses such as Secured Transactions, Health Law, Wills & Trusts, Antitrust, and Family Law.

Gonzaga Law embraces its humanistic mission of educating the whole person and preparing lawyers to serve marginalized populations in an increasingly international legal market. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to be an outstanding teacher and a commitment to service, particularly in alignment with Gonzaga Law’s two academic Centers – the Center for Civil & Human Rights and the Center for Law, Ethics & Commerce. For Gonzaga University School of Law’s mission and diversity statements, please visit https://www.gonzaga.edu/school-of-law/about/mission-vision.

The Visiting Assistant Professor will teach about six credits per semester, and our curricular needs include first-year courses, such as Contracts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research & Writing I and II, and Lawyering Skills; upper-level required courses, such as Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, and Legal Research & Writing III; and elective courses such as Secured Transactions, Health Law, Wills & Trusts, Antitrust, and Family Law. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to be an outstanding teacher, with a commitment to Gonzaga Law’s humanistic mission of educating the whole person. Visiting Assistant Professors are also encouraged to participate in all aspects of intellectual life at Gonzaga Law, particularly through our two academic Centers – the Center for Civil & Human Rights (CCHR) and the Center for Law, Ethics & Commerce (CLEC).

Gonzaga Law embraces its humanistic mission of educating the whole person and preparing lawyers to serve marginalized populations in an increasingly international legal market. Law faculty instruct law students, provide service to the law school and University, and engage with other professionals and the public to contribute to the intellectual exchange of ideas, to improve the law, and to educate the profession and the public about the law, with an eye towards the common good.

Essential Functions:

• Instructional Duties
  • Teach law school courses in areas of expertise, including first-year courses, such as Contracts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research & Writing I and II, and Lawyering Skills; upper-level required courses, such as Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, and Legal Research & Writing III; and elective courses such as Secured Transactions, Health Law, Wills & Trusts, Antitrust, and Family Law
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction for law students.
• Professional Development 
  • Contribute to the intellectual exchange of ideas, enrich teaching, and educate the profession about the law
  • Engage in continuing professional development as a member of the academic community, including through working with CCHR and CLEC, Gonzaga Law’s two academic centers.
• Administrative Duties •
  • Devote some time to non-teaching activities essential to the operation of a law school committed to excellence. Responsibilities may include
    • attending workshops and events
    • advising law students
    • maintaining regular office hours
    • complying with ABA and University policies
    • cooperating with the school’s efforts to comply with applicable law. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor or equivalent degree earned from an ABA-accredited law school or its equivalent by the hire date of August 11, 2025
• Demonstrated record of academic achievement
• Superior recommendations
• Demonstrated record of excellent teaching or an ability to become an excellent teacher.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One law review publication or its equivalent
• Six months experience teaching at a law school or in a legal clinical setting
• Scholarly and/or professional alignment with CCHR and CLEC, Gonzaga Law’s two academic centers.
• Twelve months experience practicing law in one or more areas of our current curricular needs
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness including responding to the academic needs of learners from underrepresented communities and those with diverse backgrounds
• Excellence in interpersonal communication, leadership, collaboration, innovation, and organizational skills
• Commitment to collegiality, evidence of self-awareness, and appreciation for humor, including the ability to laugh at one’s self.

Required Application Materials: Applicants must complete an online application and electronically submit the following:
(1) a cover letter
(2) a curriculum vitae
(3) a teaching statement that your teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and experience creating and maintaining an inclusive learning environment
(4) law school teaching evaluations, if available

Names and contact information for three academic references will be collected for advancing candidates during the interview process. References will be sent a link to upload a confidential letter of recommendation.

For information about the institution, visit Gonzaga on the internet at http://www.gonzaga.edu. Inquiries about the position may be directed to the Chair of the Faculty Recruitment Committee, Associate Dean Dallan Flake, at flaked@gonzaga.edu. The applicant must also apply directly to Gonzaga University, Office of Human Resources, at the website above. The position closes on March 10, 2025, at midnight, U.S. PDT. For assistance with your online application, please contact Human Resources at 509-313-5996.

Total Rewards Statement

At Gonzaga, we value the well-being and contributions of our colleagues by offering a comprehensive total rewards package. In compliance with Washington State's Pay Transparency Act, we provide both the full salary range for each position, and an anticipated salary range that reflects the budgeted amount that the university reasonable expects to offer the position. In addition to base compensation, we offer a competitive benefits package, which may vary depending on the position type and hours worked. To explore the full range of benefits available, please review the applicable Prospective Employee Benefit Guide available on the Gonzaga website.

EEO Statement

Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission. Gonzaga University is a committed EEO/AA employer and diversity candidates are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability status and/or protected veteran status. Applicants with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to complete the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources (509) 313-5996.