Assistant Professor of Law (Lawyering - Long Term Contract)

ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:

Willamette University, founded in 1842, is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range of professional graduate programs, including Oregon’s top-ranked MBA program, the Northwest’s oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA programs at PNCA and master’s degrees in data science and computer science.

Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our Benefits Summary includes options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette, please contact our HR Department, hr@willamette.edu or call us at 503-370-6210.

POSITION SUMMARY

Willamette University School of Law invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Law to teach two sections of Lawyering, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. This position is on a long-term contract track consistent with ABA Standard 405(c).

We seek candidates who are passionate about teaching legal research, writing, analysis, and advocacy, and who are committed to preparing students for the professional demands of legal practice. The Lawyering program develops students’ foundational legal research, analysis, and writing skills while also cultivating the professional habits essential to success in law school and legal practice. Students learn objective and persuasive writing, oral advocacy, and are introduced to other modes of legal communication, including client interviewing and counseling. While the initial course package is two sections of lawyering in each annual semester, there may also be the need for a successful candidate to teach in summer or during the term in doctrinal, skills, and/or academic success courses.

The Long Term Contract track requires maintaining excellence in teaching, service, and an active program of professional growth, but does not require scholarship. Assistant Professors of Law on the LTC track have faculty voting rights (on everything but the appointment and promotion of tenure-track faculty. LTC track faculty are eligible to seek professional development funds and summer writing grants consistent with policies applicable to all faculty.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following functions, which are not listed in any particular order of significance:

• Teach two sections of Lawyering per semester, which includes providing classroom instruction, timely written feedback on assignments, and individual academic counseling on progress towards course learning objectives.

• Where needed, and as agreed to with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, teach alternative doctrinal, academic success, or skills courses in substitution for one of the lawyering sections.

• Work closely with students while maintaining professionalism and appropriate demeanor that encourages learning.

• Work with staff in order to address issues of student support and concern connected with classroom instruction.

• Engage in committee and other service to the law school, including participation  in student, faculty, and schoolwide activities (such as committee meetings, colloquia, workshops, lectures, and occasional other meetings) in a manner consistent with the position.

• Other duties as assigned in cooperation with the administration of the College of Law.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school required.

• Experience: Experience as a licensed attorney in the practice of law that involved the preparation and editing of high-quality legal work product.

• Computer skills: Proficient in the use of computers for word processing and electronic communication. Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new software. Any combination of education, training or experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive issues.

• Ability to exercise good professional judgment in an academic setting. 

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with staff, faculty, students and professionals in the community regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, ethnicity, job status, or other background.

• A genuine enthusiasm for student success and an ability to be empathetic towards students with academic challenges.

Preferred

• At least one year's experience teaching in an ABA-accredited law school, preferably in the school's legal research and writing program.

• Multiple years of experience as a licensed attorney in the practice of law that involved the preparation and editing of high-quality legal work product.

Typical Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: Standard office/classroom environment.

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:

• Cover letter

• Current resume/CV

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled.  
 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:

Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.