Professor of Law (or other rank)
The University of Wyoming College of Law expects to hire one tenure-track faculty member to teach in the law school’s Legal Writing Program beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. During the typical academic year, the individual selected for this position will teach three courses in the law school’s writing program and will teach a fourth course based on the individual’s academic interests and the law school’s curricular needs.
At the University of Wyoming, faculty members teaching in the Legal Writing Program enjoy the same status as the rest of the law faculty, with parity in salary and benefits, rights to the tenure and promotion process, the same voting rights, eligibility for sabbaticals, eligibility for summer research stipends, eligibility for professional development travel funds, eligibility for funds for research assistants, rights to the same office space and support staff, and the same academic titles of Assistant Professor of Law, Associate Professor of Law, Professor of Law, and Endowed or Distinguished Professor of Law, as appropriate per appointment and promotion.
The successful candidate will also be subject to the same core responsibilities as the rest of the law faculty and, as such, will be required to demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service in accordance with the standards and timeline established by the tenure and promotion process.
The first-year Legal Writing Program at The University of Wyoming consists of (1) a fall semester 3-credit Legal Writing I course, which focuses on objective/predictive legal analysis and writing, and (2) a spring semester 2-credit Legal Writing II course, which uses an Appellate Brief or Trial Brief assignment as a vehicle for introducing students to persuasive legal writing and oral advocacy. Both courses are taught in small sections. Legal Research is taught primarily by the teaching librarians in a separate 1-credit course in the fall semester. All sections of Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II are part of one Legal Writing Program and, as such, must adhere to the broad goals and guidelines of the program. That being said, the individual legal writing professors enjoy much flexibility in designing their courses and are free to choose their own textbooks, design their own lesson plans, and develop their own writing assignments.
We seek applications from candidates with (1) a J.D. degree, (2) a strong academic record, (3) legal practice experience, (4) experience teaching legal writing in a law school setting, and (5) a demonstrated commitment to a career in teaching legal writing. Preference will be given to those candidates who have published works, supported by serious academic research, in one or more of the following areas: substantive legal writing doctrine, legal methods and analysis, written advocacy, motion or appellate procedure, or advocacy ethics.
Application Procedure: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter, (2) a CV, (3) a list of three references with their contact information, and (4) a one-page statement of the applicant’s philosophy on teaching legal writing and the applicant’s future scholarly agenda. These materials should be sent either electronically or in hard copy to:
Professor Michael R. Smith
Director of Legal Writing
University of Wyoming College of Law
Dept. 3035
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071-2000
The University of Wyoming is committed to diversity and endorses principles of affirmative action. We acknowledge that diversity enriches and sustains our scholarship and promotes equal access to our educational mission. We seek and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To achieve that goal, upon hire we conduct background investigations on prospective employees prior to the commencement of employment.
Laramie, Wyoming 82071