Becoming A Law Professor: The Essential Guide

Becoming a law professor is a highly competitive process that requires dedication, focus, and a strong academic background. To become a law professor, one must typically obtain a bachelor's degree, attend law school, pursue clerkships, practice law, and establish themselves as an expert in their field. While it is a challenging path, it can lead to a rewarding career in academia, providing the opportunity to educate and mentor the next generation of legal professionals. In addition to teaching, law professors are also expected to conduct research and contribute to the advancement of legal knowledge through publications and industry engagement.

Obtain a bachelor's degree

Aspiring law professors often enrol in a pre-law programme, which typically takes three to four years to complete. While not all law schools require students to have a degree in pre-law, it may help prepare them for advanced legal concepts. Here are some examples of alternative bachelor's degrees that law professors often obtain before attending law school:

Political Science

A background in political science helps prospective law students understand the politics that often accompany laws and how the law applies to political systems.

Psychology

Studying psychology can help students understand how and why legislators draft laws by giving them insight into how people think and behave.

English

A background in English can help a law student better understand the language of laws and legal documents.

Criminal Justice

Learning about criminal justice can help students understand criminality and how the law applies to criminal activity.

History

Studying history can help students understand the evolution of laws over time, including how past laws apply to the present.

Philosophy

A background in philosophy can help students understand how lawmakers think and how different people interpret the law.

Attend law school

After completing a bachelor's degree program, the next step towards becoming a law professor is to attend law school. Law school typically takes around three years to complete. During this time, students learn how legislators write laws and how law enforcement officers and judges apply them. They also develop advanced analysis skills and learn to interpret complex problems.

To enter a law program, students must first pass the law school admission test (LSAT). Preparing for the LSAT can be done in several ways, including taking LSAT courses, hiring a tutor, or using a study guide.

While in law school, it is important to make choices that will benefit your future career as a law professor. This includes developing strong relationships with law professors, who can later serve as references and mentors. It is also crucial to start writing and publishing scholarly articles, as this is a key aspect of establishing yourself in the legal academic field. Seek out seminars, directed studies, or journals that require you to write papers, and consider working as a research assistant for a professor.

Additionally, focus on achieving excellent grades and aim for membership in the law review, preferably in a senior editorial position. This, along with a prestigious judicial clerkship, will enhance your resume and improve your chances of securing a teaching position.

Practice law

Practicing law is an important step towards becoming a law professor. After graduating from law school and earning your legal credentials, it is recommended that aspiring law professors spend at least three to five years practicing law at a firm or independently. This practical experience allows future professors to gain industry knowledge and learn how laws are applied in real-world situations. It also helps them to provide accurate advice to their future students about working in the legal field.

While practicing law, it is important to continue building a strong academic profile. This includes publishing legal research and articles in reputable law reviews and other legal publications. Aspiring professors should also consider presenting their work at conferences and networking within their field. Building a network of connections can help increase their chances of finding a teaching position. Additionally, gaining experience as a mentor and guiding others in their career and educational decisions is beneficial.

During this time, it is also crucial to establish relationships with law professors and other academics who can later serve as references. Securing a job in law teaching heavily relies on having prominent faculty members who can provide letters of recommendation and vouch for one's capabilities.

Furthermore, practicing law provides an opportunity to develop expertise in a specific area of law. Specializing in a particular field, such as human rights law, financial law, or criminal law, can make a candidate more attractive to law schools. It demonstrates a strong understanding of the subject matter and a commitment to the field.

While practicing law, individuals should also consider applying for fellowships or visiting assistant professor (VAP) positions. These opportunities allow aspiring professors to gain teaching experience and further develop their scholarly work under the guidance of established faculty members.

In summary, practicing law is a crucial step in becoming a law professor as it provides practical experience, allows for the development of scholarly work, and helps build a strong academic profile and network of connections.

Publish research

Publishing research is a crucial aspect of becoming a law professor. It helps establish your credentials as a legal professional and researcher, and it showcases your abilities to potential employers. Here are some detailed tips to help you publish your research effectively:

Start Early:

Begin writing scholarly articles while still in law school. Choose seminars that require you to write papers, or take directed studies that allow you to work closely with a professor. This early start will give you a head start and help build your publishing momentum.

Seek Feedback:

During your time in law school, befriend a couple of your law professors. They can provide valuable feedback and mentorship. Their support and guidance can make a significant difference in the quality of your work.

Develop Expertise:

Focus on developing expertise in a particular field of law that interests you. Immerse yourself in the literature, debates, and dialogues within that field. This deep understanding will enable you to make original contributions and get noticed by other experts.

Aim for Quality:

When it comes to publications, quality always trumps quantity. Aim for excellent placements in reputable law reviews or journals. Consult with law professors or mentors when deciding where to submit your articles. Their advice can help improve your chances of getting published in prestigious publications.

Build Relationships:

Establishing relationships with law professors and mentors is crucial. These connections can provide references, letters of recommendation, and support throughout your academic journey. Keep them updated on your work and seek their guidance when needed.

Be Strategic:

Consider the areas of law that are in high demand for teaching positions. Fields such as real estate law, commercial law, property law, corporate law, tax law, and alternative dispute resolution often have a shortage of candidates. Pursuing expertise in these areas may increase your chances of securing a teaching position.

Attend Conferences:

Present your research at conferences and bar groups focused on your area of specialty. This provides an excellent opportunity to network with others in your field and establish yourself within the legal community.

Avoid Premature Publication:

While publishing is essential, avoid rushing to publish something just for the sake of it. Ensure that your work is well-crafted and meets the expected standards. Publishing shoddy work may do more harm than good to your reputation and credentials.

Stay Persistent:

Becoming a law professor is a highly competitive process. Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed right away. Many candidates find outstanding jobs in their second or subsequent years of applying, usually after writing and publishing more.

Apply for jobs

The final step in the process is to pursue a position with a university or private law school. Create a resume that highlights your education, legal experience, and accomplishments in law. Include information about any research you've completed or papers you've published. You should also include a section listing your published works, forthcoming publications, and works in progress.

The academic job market is extremely competitive, so you should apply to a wide range of schools and not limit yourself to a small number of schools or a particular geographical area. The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) is a great resource for aspiring law professors, as they hold a major job fair every October and many schools hire their faculty through the AALS. They also publish a job newsletter several times a year with positions in academia.

When applying for jobs, be prepared to discuss your teaching interests and publications and research projects. You should also be able to state the thesis of your research concisely and answer questions about ideas for future work. During the interview process, highlight subjects you've specialized in, such as tax law or human rights law, to emphasize how you stand out from other candidates.

It is important to note that the timeline and hiring process can vary from school to school. Hiring for entry-level, tenure-track teaching jobs typically begins more than a year before the start dates. The process is often conducted through the AALS, which distributes candidates' resumes to appointments committees and sponsors the Faculty Recruitment Conference (FRC) in the fall in Washington, DC. If you wish to apply for this type of position, start your preparations in the spring of the calendar year in which you will be applying.

If you are invited for an on-campus interview, the school will usually pay for the costs of the trip. On-campus interviews typically include a dinner with faculty members, a series of interviews, a job talk, a meeting with students, and a meeting with the dean. Remember that you are being evaluated by everyone you encounter, so show enthusiasm for the school and its location.

Frequently asked questions