Legal Research and Writing Lecturer (Public Interest Law Emphasis)
- Employer
- UCLA School of Law
- Location
- California, United States
- Salary
- Salary Commensurate with experience
- Date posted
- May 9, 2022
View more
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Professional Fields, Law & Legal Studies
- Employment Level
- Non-Tenured Track
- Employment Type
- Full Time
UCLA School of Law is seeking a full-time instructor with a background in public interest practice to teach two sections of the first-year J.D. course in Legal Research and Writing, including the section of the course designed expressly for students admitted to the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy (“Epstein Program”). The mission of the Epstein Program is to educate, train, and nurture the next generation of visionary public interest lawyers. Each year, twenty-five students are admitted to UCLA School of Law to participate in the Epstein Program, which treats preparation for public interest practice as integral to the law school curriculum. The opening is for the 2022-2023 academic year. The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as practical after July 1, 2022.
Both the Epstein Legal Research and Writing section and the Legal
Research and Writing section are year-long five-credit courses,
designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of legal
reasoning, the structure of objective and persuasive arguments,
legal research methods, statutory interpretation, and additional
skills, such as oral advocacy, fact investigation, and client
counseling. Students complete a variety of written assignments,
both graded and ungraded, designed to reinforce the overarching
lessons of the course.
The Epstein Legal Research and Writing section differs from other
sections of Legal Research and Writing in that it teaches students
enrolled in the Epstein Program and focuses on foundational
lawyering skills necessary for success as a lawyer in a public
interest setting. The course emphasizes the development of public
interest leadership by fostering a safe and collaborative
environment within the first-year curriculum to learn
practice-oriented skills that will anchor and strengthen the public
service careers of Epstein Program students. The class is taught by
a Legal Research and Writing professor with training and background
in public interest and social justice lawyering.
Each of the two sections will meet for approximately 90 minutes,
twice a week, during the fall semester (approximately the third
week of August until Thanksgiving) and the spring semester
(mid-January through April). Most instructors find that their work
grading and responding to students about grades continues through
mid-June. Each section has approximately 25 students. In addition
to the class meetings, instructors are expected to hold regular
office hours and meet with students to counsel them about their
writing projects, career interests and other matters of academic or
professional concern. Students in both sections complete several
major writing and research projects over the course of the year,
with the instructor providing extensive individualized written
feedback along with individual meetings on each assignment.
Candidates have the benefit of developed materials for both
courses, although they will be expected to develop and update the
course materials for the Epstein Program section of Legal Research
and Writing to incorporate cutting-edge public interest problems.
The candidate would be expected to work closely with both the other
Legal Research and Writing professors as well as the PILP faculty
advisor in developing materials which fit both program’s goals.
This position requires evidence of past or potential ability
for:
• Effective classroom teaching (including command of the subject
matter, ability to organize and present material, and ability to
awaken student interest, curiosity, creativity, and
achievement).
• Effective and timely feedback on written assignments with
extensive oral and written comments on student work product.
• Counseling of students on a wide range of professional and career
topics, particularly those interested in public interest
careers.
The successful candidate should also expect to do the
following:
• Develop PILP-specific curriculum including writing and research
problems for the PILP section.
• Collaborate with the Epstein Program faculty on issues of
curriculum and program planning.
• Collaborate with other Legal Research and Writing Skills
instructors in developing assignments and coordinating due
dates.
• Supervise and train second and third-year students who will
assist the instructor with critiquing first drafts of the ungraded
student writing and assignments.
The candidate will be asked to participate in Epstein Program
related activities, such as monthly staff meetings, mentoring
Epstein students, and participating in admissions events for
program applicants. In addition, the candidate will be asked to
engage in other teaching duties expected of faculty on an as-needed
basis, such as serving on faculty committees, assisting in a
clinical course, or supervising student externships.
This is a full-time academic, non-tenure track appointment as a
Lecturer in Law. The salary and level of appointment will be
commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is
represented by the University Council - American Federation of
Teachers:
https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ix/contract.html.
Lecturers with an appointment during the 2021-22 academic year will
be considered for reappointment prior to the consideration of
external applicants.
All candidates must hold a J.D. or equivalent degree. We seek
candidates with an excellent academic record; substantial legal
writing experience; substantial experience in and current
connections to public interest law practice; a strong desire to
teach; proven ability to provide constructive feedback; and at
least 2 years of practice experience as a public interest or
government attorney in any jurisdiction (5 years preferred).
Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of
interest will begin immediately and continue until an appointment
is made. To ensure full consideration, applications should be
received by Friday, May 27, 2022, but will be considered thereafter
through June 24, 2022, or until the position is filled.
Please apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07463
by submitting pdf copies of a CV or resume, a cover letter, and the
names and contact information for at least three professional
references, as well as a statement of contributions to diversity.
Applicants with teaching experience should also include their
teaching evaluations, a summary thereof, or other testimonials
concerning their teaching experience.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender
identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental
disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic
characteristics), genetic information (including family medical
history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation,
citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including
protected veterans. For the complete University of California
nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC
Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy at https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction.
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