Director of Legal Research and Writing

The University of Minnesota Law School welcomes applications for appointment to the position of Director of Legal Research and Writing (the Director) to oversee the Law School’s Legal Research and Writing Program for first-year students (the Program). The Director holds the rank of Associate Clinical Professor of Law and will be eligible for a continuous appointment to the rank of Clinical Professor of Law.  We anticipate this individual starting employment no later than July 2022. 

Description of the Program: 

All first-year students take Legal Research and Writing, which currently is a four-credit course taught over the course of two semesters and graded on an Honors/Pass/Fail basis.  The writing component of the course is taught in small sections by two-person teams consisting of a practicing attorney and an upper-division (2L or 3L) student instructor.  The attorney teaches the weekly class sessions, the student holds weekly office hours, and both instructors read and comment upon all written assignments. All instructors follow a common syllabus and set of lesson plans developed by the Director.  The research component of the course is taught by our reference librarians in coordination with the Director.  The Program culminates in the spring semester with an oral advocacy competition. 

Responsibilities of the Director Relating to the Program Include: 

Hiring, training, and supervising attorney instructors and upper-division student instructors. Designing the curriculum for the Program, including the syllabus, lesson plans, assignments, and teaching aids. Developing pre-law curriculum for incoming 1Ls and teaching at 1L orientation.    Planning and coordinating legal research instruction with the Law Library staff. Teaching at least one section in the Program. Overseeing grading for the Program with an eye toward ensuring the consistent application of evaluation criteria across all sections.  Integrating a yearly Minnesota Supreme Court case, oral argument, and Law School visit into the curriculum. Overseeing the Program’s 1L oral advocacy and best brief competitions. Reviewing the current Program structure and curriculum and recommending and designing changes in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education.

Additional Responsibilities of the Director Include:

Teaching and/or coaching in the second-year moot court (appellate advocacy) program in coordination with the Director of Appellate Advocacy. Working with the Director of Academic Success to provide additional support for students who would benefit from supplemental instruction and feedback on their legal writing. Helping oversee the William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition. Other general clinical faculty responsibilities, including serving on law school committees, advising on law student journal notes, and serving as a 1L faculty advisor. Teaching courses in the general curriculum (subject to interest and curricular need). Contributing to the development of the legal writing field and legal education.  

The salary of the Director will be commensurate with experience. At a minimum, candidates must possess a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school, bar admission, and demonstrated writing ability.  Desired qualifications include (1) teaching experience, (2) law practice experience, and (3) administrative experience. 

The deadline for applications is May 18, 2022. Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and list of at least three (3) professional references who can attest to an applicant’s teaching ability and potential for future teaching excellence.  

To apply, go to https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and reference job number 347493.  Candidates, including people of color and women, are strongly encouraged to apply.  Applications will only be accepted through the University of Minnesota online employment system.