Assistant or Associate Professor of Law - Lawyering Skills/Legal Writing, Tenure Track or Tenured at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota

Job Description:

Salary/Position Classification

• $90,000 commensurate with rank and experience, 9-month contract, Exempt


• 40 hours per week


• 100% Remote Work Availability: No


• Hybrid Work Availability: No

The University of North Dakota School of Law invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Law or Associate Professor of Law, depending on experience, to commence in Fall 2025. This is a full-time, tenure-track or tenured faculty position with the primary responsibility of scholarship, service, and effective teaching in the curricular area of Lawyering skills/Legal writing. The successful candidate may also contribute to the School of Law's curriculum and student success through additional teaching responsibilities; these additional responsibilities will be determined based on the School of Law's curricular needs and the successful candidate's interests and skills. In addition to experience teaching legal research and writing, the School of Law is particularly interested in those with interest or experience in teaching Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Contracts, or Property.

This will be a 9-month position and may be tenure-track or an offer of tenure may be made based on a candidate's documented record of achievement and subject to approval from the Department, College, University, and the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. This position is contingent upon the availability of funding. The successful candidate will be eligible for financial support for expenses related to professional development efforts. This position will be primarily on campus (not remote).


Assistant/Associate candidates must meet the school/university standards for appointment to the rank, including significant experience/accomplishments in the candidate's area of expertise. An offer of Associate Professor must also meet State Board of Higher Education guidelines for consideration of tenure.

The University of North Dakota School of Law seeks (1) to educate students for professional service in the law and law-related professions, (2) to explore legal issues of special significance to North Dakota and the region, (3) to attract a well-qualified and diverse student body and to assist students in making career decisions, (4) to promote improvements in the law and legal systems, the legal profession, and the administration of justice, and (5) to further the overall goals and objectives of the University of North Dakota.

The UND School of Law seeks colleagues dedicated to fostering well-rounded and public-minded legal professionals with skills to serve as effective, self-reflective, and ethical leaders who will contribute greatly to their communities. Our distinctive character as one of the nation's smaller public law schools-and as the sole law school in North Dakota- informs our program of legal education and especially our legal writing program, which is ranked #32 in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. We maintain a close relationship with our state's bench and bar and a special interest in connecting with and serving our state's rural as well as urban populations. The University of North Dakota is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone in our community, and our law school strives to cultivate a friendly and supportive learning environment to help our students develop into conscientious legal professionals. We value teachers who demonstrate intentionality and creativity and are interested in infusing their teaching with writing, research, cooperative learning, interpersonal skills, and/or other pedagogies. We also seek scholars with innovative research agendas and encourage work that transcends disciplinary boundaries, including the scholarship of teaching and learning. We desire colleagues who view service to the law school, the academy, and the legal profession as integral to their own success.

• Teaching several content courses per academic year


• Other teaching that may include individualized courses, course development, or student advising/mentorship


• Scholarly research and writing


• Service and other activities which may include serving on law school and/or university committees and professional service

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and staff colleagues


• Eagerness to work closely with law students


• Ability to teach in the curricular areas of interest


• Ability to work and collaborate in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive setting

• J.D. degree from a law school in the United States or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. school


• Three years of work experience (which may include judicial clerkships) after obtaining a J.D. or equivalent degree


• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

• At least one year of experience teaching legal research or legal writing in a law school setting;


• At least one year of experience acting as a teaching assistant or equivalent for a legal writing or research course during law school;


• Demonstrated record of excellent teaching or an ability to become an excellent teacher;


• Evidence of scholarly research demonstrating potential for scholarly excellence;


• Evidence of service engagement within a law school and to local, state, or national legal or educational organizations; and


• Strong academic record, as signified by success in law school courses, class rankings, extra-curricular activities, scholarly awards (such as a CALI), or other similar evidence.

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by August 29, 2024, and include the following materials:

• Cover letter


• Current C.V.


• Law School transcripts (unofficial are fine; finalists will be asked to supply official transcripts)

Interested candidates may contact our Faculty Selection Committee chair, Carolyn Williams at Carolyn.williams.2@und.edu
Position is open until filled.