The University of Michigan Law School seeks applicants for the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Law to teach in our Legal Practice Program, beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year. We hope to hire multiple people.
Legal Practice is a first-year, five-credit, two-semester series of courses. The courses integrate legal analysis, research, writing, advocacy, and other aspects of the practice of law. Legal Practice faculty typically teach two sections, with each section meeting twice a week. Each section usually has 20-22 students. Faculty members generally have a similar number and scope of assignments but have flexibility in designing the details of the course. Upper-class students assist faculty teaching the Legal Practice course. Legal Practice faculty may also be able to teach other courses at the Law School depending on coverage, interest, and curricular needs, including upper-level legal writing and other skills courses, but they are not required to do so.
In the fall semester, Legal Practice professors introduce students to basic lawyering skills including how to read, analyze, and synthesize cases, and how to use cases to predict the likely outcome of disputes. Professors also teach students basic research and citation skills. Finally, professors teach students how to draft predictive memos analyzing legal issues of increasing complexity. Professors review and provide extensive written feedback regarding students' work and meet individually with students to review their progress.
In the winter semester, professors typically teach the same students, continuing to develop the research, analysis, and writing skills introduced during the fall semester. In addition, students learn how to frame persuasive arguments in a brief, and oral argument. As in the fall, professors review and provide written feedback regarding students' work, and meet with students to discuss their progress. Professors also attend their students' oral arguments and introduce their students to additional legal skills, such as contract drafting and negotiation.
We are particularly interested in candidates with teaching experience in legal research and writing and welcome applicants at all career stages to apply.