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Legal Research and Writing Lecturer (Public Interest Law Emphasis)

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Position overview

Position title: Lecturer

Position description

UCLA School of Law is seeking a full-time instructor with a background in public interest practice to teach two sections of the first-year J.D. course in Legal Research and Writing, including the section of the course designed expressly for students admitted to the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy (“Epstein Program”). The mission of the Epstein Program is to educate, train, and nurture the next generation of visionary public interest lawyers. Each year, twenty-five students are admitted to UCLA School of Law to participate in the Epstein Program, which treats preparation for public interest practice as integral to the law school curriculum. The opening is for the 2022-2023 academic year. The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as practical after July 1, 2022.

Both the Epstein Legal Research and Writing section and the Legal Research and Writing section are year-long five-credit courses, 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.

The Epstein Legal Research and Writing section differs from other sections of Legal Research and Writing in that it teaches students enrolled in the Epstein Program and focuses on foundational lawyering skills necessary for success as a lawyer in a public interest setting. The course emphasizes the development of public interest leadership by fostering a safe and collaborative environment within the first-year curriculum to learn practice-oriented skills that will anchor and strengthen the public service careers of Epstein Program students. The class is taught by a Legal Research and Writing professor with training and background in public interest and social justice lawyering.

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 instructors 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, instructors 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 instructor 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 the Epstein Program section of Legal Research and Writing to incorporate cutting-edge public interest problems. The candidate would be expected to work closely with both the other Legal Research and Writing professors as well as the PILP faculty advisor in developing materials which fit both program’s 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, particularly those interested in public interest careers.

The successful candidate should also expect to do the following:

• Develop PILP-specific curriculum including writing and research problems for the PILP section.
• Collaborate with the Epstein Program faculty on issues of curriculum and program planning.
• Collaborate with other Legal Research and Writing Skills instructors in developing assignments and coordinating due dates.
• Supervise and train second and third-year students who will assist the instructor with critiquing first drafts of the ungraded student writing and assignments.

The candidate will be asked to participate in Epstein Program related activities, such as monthly staff meetings, mentoring Epstein students, and participating in admissions events for program applicants. In addition, the candidate will be asked to engage in other teaching duties expected of faculty on an as-needed basis, such as serving on faculty committees, assisting in a clinical course, or supervising student externships.

This is a full-time academic, non-tenure track appointment as a Lecturer in Law. The salary and level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is represented by the University Council - American Federation of Teachers: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ix/contract.html. Lecturers with an appointment during the 2021-22 academic year will be considered for reappointment prior to the consideration of external applicants.

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

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, May 27, 2022, but will be considered thereafter through June 24, 2022, or until the position is filled.

Please apply online at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07463 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.

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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

J.D. or equivalent

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - A letter discussing your interest, qualifications and/or experience.

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • List of References - Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references

  • Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our Sample Guidance for Candidates and related EDI Statement FAQ document.

  • Teaching Evaluations (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional - Law school transcript, etc.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)

Names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF07463

Help contact: caughlin@law.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.