Lecturer in Law

UCLA School of Law
Legal Research and Writing Lecturer
2023-24 Academic Year

UCLA School of Law is seeking a full-time lecturer to teach two sections of the first-year J.D. course in Legal Research and Writing. The opening is for the 2023-24 academic year. The appointment will be effective July 1, 2023.
Each section of the Legal Research and Writing is a year-long five-credit course, designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of legal reasoning, the structure of objective and persuasive arguments, legal research methods, statutory interpretation, and additional skills, such as oral advocacy, fact investigation, and client counseling. Students complete a variety of written assignments, both graded and ungraded, designed to reinforce the overarching lessons of the course.

Each of the two sections will meet for approximately 90 minutes, twice a week, during the fall semester (approximately the third week of August until Thanksgiving) and the spring semester (mid-January through April). Most lecturers find that their work grading and responding to students about grades continues through mid-June. Each section has approximately 25 students. In addition to the class meetings, lecturers are expected to hold regular office hours and meet with students to counsel them about their writing projects, career interests and other matters of academic or professional concern. Students in both sections complete several major writing and research projects over the course of the year, with the lecturer providing extensive individualized written feedback along with individual meetings on each assignment. Candidates have the benefit of developed materials for both courses, although they will be expected to develop and update the course materials for Legal Research and Writing to incorporate cutting-edge problems. The candidate would be expected to work closely with other Legal Research and Writing lecturers in developing materials which fit program and School goals.

This position requires evidence of past or potential ability for:

• Effective classroom teaching (including command of the subject matter, ability to organize and present material, and ability to awaken student interest, curiosity, creativity, and achievement).
• Effective and timely feedback on written assignments with extensive oral and written comments on student work product.
• Counseling of students on a wide range of professional and career topics.

The successful candidate should also expect to do the following:

• Collaborate with other Legal Research and Writing lecturers in developing assignments and coordinating due dates.
• Supervise and train second and third-year students who will assist the lecturer with critiquing first drafts of the ungraded student writing and assignments.

The candidate will also engage in other teaching duties such as assisting in a clinical course and in supervising student externships.

This is a full-time academic, non-tenure track appointment as a Lecturer in Law. See UC Salary Table 15 at https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2022-23/july-2022-salary-scales/t15.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $100,000 to $112,000.

All candidates must hold a J.D. or equivalent degree. We seek candidates with an excellent academic record; substantial legal writing experience; a strong desire to teach; proven ability to provide constructive feedback; and at least 2 years of practice experience as an attorney in any jurisdiction (5 years preferred).

This is a full-time, non-tenure track, academic position. This position is represented by the University Council - American Federation of Teachers: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ix/contract.html. Internal candidates will be considered for reappointment prior to the consideration of external applicants.

Please apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF08230 by submitting pdf copies of a CV or resume, a cover letter, and the names and contact information for at least three professional references, as well as a statement of contributions to diversity. Applicants with teaching experience should also include their teaching evaluations, a summary thereof, or other testimonials concerning their teaching experience.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by Friday, March 24, 2023, but will be considered thereafter through April 21, 2023, or until the position is filled.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy at https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction.
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