Clinical Assistant Professor, Legal Writing

Position Title:

Position Type:

Salary Range:

$125,000 - $150,000

Purpose:

Santa Clara University School of Law is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and social justice.  This position will serve as a member of the Executive Faculty at the School of Law, teaching legal writing courses and other subjects that support our mission to prepare the next generation of Santa Clara lawyers.

This position is a 100% full-time, eleven-month appointment.

The position is a renewable term faculty (“RTF”) appointment, subject to the School of Law’s Standards and Procedures for Hiring, Retention, and Promotion of Full-Time RTF, which are summarized below.

An entry-level RTF appointment will initially receive a two-year appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Law.  An entry-level RTF shall be subject to a retention decision after their two-year term.  A favorable retention decision will lead to a three-year contract.

A RTF serving a three-year term shall be subject to a retention decision during the third year of that contract.  A favorable decision will lead to a five-year contract with an appointment as an Associate Clinical Professor of Law, and the presumption of renewal of future 5-year contracts.  An Associate Clinical Professor of Law may seek promotion to Clinical Professor of Law in their fifth year as an Associate.  RTF retention and promotion decisions are based upon teaching, program management (if applicable), service, and contribution to the school and the legal profession. 

Candidates may apply for lateral appointments to this position, receiving credit for prior years of service in a full-time teaching position at another US law school.

QUALIFICATIONS

1.   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·  Exceptional legal analysis, writing, research, and oral presentation skills

 ·  Comfort, familiarity, and interest in working with students from diverse backgrounds      

·  Ability to mentor and support the next generation of practice-ready lawyers

·  Approachable and collaborative personal style, works well with others in di verse, multicultural coalitions and workplaces

·  Strong organizational skills that will support timely, effective, and empathetic feedback

·  Possesses a positive attitude, sense of humor and flexibility

·  Flexible and creative problem-solver, possessing strong critical thinking skills

·  Flexible work hours, ability to work some evenings and weekends to support student needs

·  Up-to-date knowledge of the California Bar Exam and general law practice to support academic and career advising

·  Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn new subject matters

2. Education and/or Experience

·  Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited institution and member of a state bar of the United States, in good standing, California bar preferred

·  Minimum three years of experience as a practicing attorney, teaching a legal writing or clinical course at a U.S. law school full-time, or a combination of both

·  Subject matter expertise in the process of creating legal written work product; experience mentoring or supervising the process preferred

·  An ideal candidate will have prior experience teaching legal writing courses

·  Subject matter expertise to teach subjects tested on the California bar exam, especially subject areas that have recently been added (administrative law, employment law, family law, and estate planning); experience teaching these subjects preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Teaching:

You will teach a total of four courses each year.  Two will be the Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing I and II.  Typically, you will teach the same ~25 first-year students in the fall and spring terms.

Your other two courses will be assigned based on experience and institutional need.  This includes the opportunity to teach doctrinal courses especially on bar-tested subjects, Appellate Advocacy, academic support courses, bar preparation courses, simulation courses, clinical courses, or help manage our Honors Moot Court programs.

Depending on institutional need, it may be possible for you to teach in our Flex J.D. program, which is our hybrid, part-time program designed for those who need a more flexible law school schedule due to their career and family commitments.  More specific information is available here.

2. Service:

All full-time faculty are responsible for regular service such as participating on committees.  All full-time faculty are eligible to serve as Program Directors in our 8 study abroad programs.       

3. Scholarship:

While not expected of RTF, all full-time faculty are encouraged to engage in research and scholarship, and all full-time faculty are eligible for support in the forms of course releases, research grants, and participating in works-in-progress workshops.

4. Other duties as assigned

RECEIVES WORK DIRECTION FROM

Receives work direction from the Santa Clara University Law School Dean.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

·   Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.

·   May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.

·   May be required to attend conferences, training sessions or meetings within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

·   Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

·   Typical office and computer lab environment, with remote work opportunities.

·   Mostly indoor office environment with some windows.

·   Offices with equipment noise.

·   Offices with frequent interruptions.

·   Flexible work hours.

APPLICATION

Please include in your application: 1) Cover letter, 2) CV, 3) Names and contact information for two references, and 4) a writing sample, no longer than 10 pages. Application deadline is March 3, 2025.

Any questions regarding the hiring process may be addressed to Prof. Thiadora Pina, tpina@scu.edu, the hiring committee chair.  Questions regarding the legal writing department may be addressed to Prof. Michael Flynn, mwflynn@scu.edu.

To learn more about the School of Law, please visit https://law.scu.edu/

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Work Authorization:

SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position.  The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

EEO Statement

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).   

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.