Assistant Dean of Legal Writing and Practice

The Assistant Dean of Legal Writing and Practice leads the Law School's Legal Writing and Practice Program, including developing curricula and providing personnel oversight and mentorship to Legal Writing and Practice Professors of Practice teaching in the Program. The Assistant Dean will also teach courses in the Legal Writing and Practice curriculum, counsel students, assess and grade written work, and manage data systems.

The Assistant Dean of Legal Writing and Practice will have considerable latitude to develop the Legal Writing and Practice Program at St. Mary's University School of Law. At a minimum, the Program will include lawyering skills for 1L students such as legal research and writing, client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, and oral advocacy, and will include components on professional identity and competence in the practice of law.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and develop curriculum for the Legal Writing and Practice Program, in collaboration with Professors of Practice in the Legal Writing and Practice and the faculty of the School of Law
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate Professors of Practice in the Legal Writing and Practice Program and support staff, with consultation from law faculty and administration; plan and execute onboarding and professional development activities for Professors of Practice in the Legal Writing and Practice Program
• Chair the Legal Writing and Practice Curriculum Committee and contribute to faculty and cross-departmental discussions regarding development of students' legal writing and practice skills
• Coordinate with other departments in the Law School, including the Library, Advocacy Program, Clinical Program, and Externships, to create a cohesive and integrated legal writing and skills experience for law students
• Provide structured writing, organizational, and analytical assistance to current students, including through workshops and presentations; teach in the Legal Writing and Practice Program as needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and admission to practice in at least one state
• Three years of experience teaching legal writing and practice skills, or equivalent teaching or legal work experience
• Ability to lead, mentor, and train Professors of Practice in the Legal Writing and Practice Program in teaching methods and curriculum development
• If a tenure or tenure-track hire, an outstanding level of professional accomplishments, commensurate with the appointment as an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Law; fulfill teaching, scholarship and service expectations associated with tenured/tenure-track professor
• Positive interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written
• Fluency in English is required, but a language other than English is an advantage
• Able to travel and to work some evenings and weekends

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience directing a legal writing and practice program
• Significant post-law school work experience involving legal writing, including as an instructor or professor at a law school, and/or as a judicial law clerk at the federal or state level

Applications can be found at http://stmarytx.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Along with the employment application, please submit: (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vita, (3) an official graduate transcript confirming the Juris Doctor degree, and (4) a writing sample. Applicants who proceed to the final interview round will be asked for two reference letters. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a clear background check.

St. Mary's University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence: www.stmarytx.edu/about. St. Mary's is the oldest Catholic university in the Southwest and continues to advocate the Marianist mission. St. Mary's enrolls approximately 3500 students in a diverse university with four schools, more than 40 academic programs including Ph.D. and J.D. programs, and numerous pre-professional programs. The successful candidate is expected to support and contribute to the University's Marianist educational mission.

St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates apply.