Gavin Howe
Teaching law can be an extremely rewarding profession, with a recent study finding that 74% of law faculty are satisfied with their positions. There are several paths to becoming a law teacher, and many law professors work as lawyers or legal professionals before becoming educators. The traditional route involves graduating from a top law school with exceptional grades, serving on a law review, and completing a prestigious clerkship. However, the rise of interdisciplinary scholarship has led to alternative paths, including strong academic performance, substantial writing experience, and practical experience in law practice or clerkship. Obtaining a graduate law degree, such as an LL.M. or S.J.D., can also enhance career prospects. Law professors educate students on the intricacies of law, its philosophy and practical applications, often contributing to the legal industry's collective knowledge through research and publishing. They support students by providing advice and career guidance, drawing on their unique industry insights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Academic qualifications | A bachelor's degree, a graduate law degree (LL.M. or S.J.D.), and a Juris Doctorate (JD) from accredited institutions |
| Academic performance | Exceptional grades and academic achievement in law school |
| Scholarly achievement | Publications, research papers, and contributions to studies |
| Practical experience | Working in law firms, serving government agencies, legal research positions, or clerkships |
| Teaching experience | Adjunct teaching, clinical teaching, or instruction at a top law school |
| Service | Serving on a law school or university committee, participating in professional organizations |
| Law school admission | Passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) |
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What You'll Learn
Academic excellence and practical experience
Academic Excellence
A career in teaching law typically begins with a strong academic foundation. Most law schools require faculty members to hold both a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from accredited institutions. An exceptional academic record is often sought by law schools, with candidates demonstrating a balance of legal experience and scholarly achievement.
The Classical Path to becoming a law teacher involves exceptional academic performance in law school, including graduating with honours, serving on a law review, and holding a senior editorial position. In recent years, scholarly achievement has become increasingly important, with candidates expected to have at least one polished piece of work ready for submission when applying for tenure-track teaching jobs.
Practical Experience
Practical experience is also highly valued for prospective law teachers. This can be gained through clerkships, working as a legal clerk in a higher court, or practicing law for several years. Clinical teaching experience is especially important for those interested in instructing students on real cases or projects. Many clinical teachers are hired from law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits, and some gain experience through clinical fellowships.
Other Considerations
In addition to academic excellence and practical experience, other factors can enhance the career prospects of aspiring law teachers. These include:
- Specializations and advanced degrees in specific legal domains, such as international law or employment law.
- Strong research portfolios and participation in law reviews.
- Mentorship and references from professors.
- Developing a broad range of skills, such as public speaking, critical thinking, and the ability to pivot and respond to unexpected situations.
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Publishing research papers
There are several well-trodden paths to a career in law teaching, and most require some form of academic accomplishment and work experience. The Classical Path, for example, starts with exceptional academic performance in law school, but this is no longer a guaranteed ticket to a good law-school teaching position. The LLM/“Post-Doc”/VAP Path requires strong academic performance, substantial writing experience, and practical experience.
Law teaching jobs often involve three components: teaching, scholarship, and service. Clinical teaching faculty instruct, supervise, and assess the work of law students on cases with actual or simulated clients. They must demonstrate the ability to supervise students with real cases or projects, and many come from law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits. Clinical faculty are sometimes eligible for tenure and may be required to produce scholarship in addition to their other work.
When applying for a law teaching position, it is important to note that the publications section of the application is extremely important. All listed publications should be academic, meaning they have been published in an academic law journal or as a scholarly book or book chapter. If you do not have academic publications, it is recommended to delay your application until you do. When submitting a paper, ensure it is mistake-free, well-written, and well-organized. It should be ready to be shared with faculty and circulated.
The Law Teacher is an international journal that publishes research on all aspects of legal education, including pedagogical developments and the results of empirical research. All submitted articles are subject to initial appraisal by the General Editor and, if suitable, peer review by independent expert referees.
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Obtaining tenure
To obtain tenure, law professors are generally evaluated in three areas: scholarship, teaching, and service. Scholarship is usually the most heavily weighted category and typically involves writing articles and books. However, some positions, such as legal writing or clinical professorships, may not require scholarship. Teaching involves instructing students and developing their critical thinking and analysis skills. Service refers to serving on university governance committees and participating in professional organisations and community service.
To increase their chances of obtaining tenure, candidates should aim to demonstrate their scholarly ability by having at least one well-crafted, polished publication before entering the law teaching market. This can be achieved through earning advanced degrees, gaining practical experience as a lawyer, or completing a fellowship or visiting assistant professor (VAP) position. Additionally, exceptional academic performance in law school, serving on a law review, and having a prestigious clerkship are also advantageous.
The academic job market is highly competitive, so it is essential to stand out by having excellent grades, impressive scholarly achievements, and a strong application. Candidates should also be mindful of the varying requirements and terminology used by different law schools and consider applying to a diverse range of institutions.
Overall, obtaining tenure as a law professor requires a combination of scholarly excellence, teaching proficiency, and service contributions, evaluated and rewarded through a probationary period that leads to the job security and institutional privileges of tenure.
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Gaining specialised credentials
Pursuing specialised credentials through academic research and practice helps create well-rounded educators. This can be achieved through various paths, including Path A: The Classical Path, which involves exceptional academic performance, service on a law review, and a prestigious judicial clerkship. Path B: The LLM/ "Post-Doc"/VAP Path requires strong academic performance, substantial writing experience, and practical experience. Alternatively, teaching legal research and writing at a top law school, or a position as a Visiting Assistant Professor or Fellow, can serve as stepping stones to a teaching career.
Additionally, gaining practical experience is crucial. Clinical teaching experience is highly valued, and schools often hire clinical faculty with practice experience from law firms, government agencies, or nonprofits. Clinical teachers must demonstrate the ability to supervise students with real cases, which can be achieved through clinical fellowships.
Furthermore, scholarly achievement is increasingly important. Prospective teachers should have at least one polished piece of work ready for submission and publication, as it helps establish credentials and supplements resumes. Developing a strong research portfolio alongside teaching can be advantageous.
Finally, it is beneficial to maintain strong relationships with professors during one's academic journey. This can provide valuable mentorship and future references for teaching positions.
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Building a professional network
Utilize Online Platforms
Use online platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with other teachers. These sites have groups, hashtags, and pages dedicated to teaching and education. By joining these communities, you can follow influencers, participate in discussions, and share your insights. This helps expand your reach and build your reputation beyond your immediate surroundings.
Attend Events and Conferences
National teaching networking events, conferences, and workshops related to your field are excellent opportunities to meet people and form connections. These events often include keynote addresses, workshops, and one-on-one sessions with teaching mentors. Remember that networking is about building organic relationships based on shared professional interests, so be prepared to introduce yourself and share your goals and interests clearly and succinctly.
Nurture Connections
Once you've made connections, nurture them. Follow up with people, express your appreciation, and offer help when you can. Build trust and credibility by following through on your commitments. Stay in touch via email, phone, or video calls, and share resources that may be of value to your connections.
Collaborate with Colleagues
Collaborating with colleagues is an excellent way to expand your network. As a teacher, you can work with other teachers in your school or district to share ideas, resources, and curricula. Mentoring is also a great way to build connections and serve as a role model for students and new teachers.
Join Professional Associations
Professional associations and the meetings they hold can be beneficial for networking and building your resume. People active in these associations often hear about job openings and can pass that information on to you. They can also be a great source of support and a way to stay up-to-date with developments in your field.
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Frequently asked questions
Most law schools require faculty members to hold both a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from accredited institutions. Some schools may also require a graduate law degree (an LL.M. or an S.J.D.).
In addition to strong academic credentials, substantial writing experience, and practical experience in a law practice or clerkship are often required. Other important skills include public speaking, research, and the ability to supervise students.
There are typically three paths to a career in law teaching: the Classical Path, the LLM/ "Post-Doc"/VAP Path, and the Visiting Assistant Professor or Fellow Path. Each path has different requirements and qualifications.
In addition to excellent grades and scholarly achievements, getting experience in a law review, serving as a teaching assistant, and engaging in legal writing clinics can enhance your application. It is also important to demonstrate a balance of legal experience and scholarly achievement.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree, you can apply to law school. Following law school, you may want to pursue clerkship and gain industry experience by practicing law for a few years. Finally, you can begin applying for teaching positions at law schools.
