INTRODUCTION

The University of Connecticut School of Law seeks candidates for a Director of a clinic focused on transactional practice, beginning August 23, 2023. This position can take two different forms. The first is a non-tenure track faculty position subject to the Law School’s Policy on Long-Term Contracts for Non-Tenure Track Clinical Faculty, which complies with ABA Standard 405(c) by providing security of position, perquisites, and participation in faculty governance similar to tenure. The second is a tenure-track version of the position, for candidates who would like more emphasis placed on scholarly capacity and commitment as components of their work and criteria for evaluation. 

Whether the position is of the non-tenure-track or tenure-track mold, the person filling it may be hired at the rank of assistant, associate, or full clinical professor, depending on experience. The UConn School of Law is especially interested in candidates who will add to the diversity of our faculty. We welcome applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other individuals underrepresented in the legal academy, as well as candidates with experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints that will enrich the diversity of our community. 

We have a rich tradition of transactional clinical offerings at UConn Law, in tandem, historically, with external organizations based in the Hartford area. Moving forward, we are excited to expand our “in-house” opportunities—among other things, because it will help satisfy the considerable demand among our students for transactional experience during law school. We are open to all manner of transactional work, connected to any substantive area of law. Whatever the clinic’s exact focus, the Director will join a robust and collegial team of clinical faculty, focused on criminal justice, immigration, and tax, among other offerings. Additional information about clinical offerings at UConn Law can be found on the Law School’s website, at https://www.law.uconn.edu/academics/clinics-experiential-learning/clinics-field-placements. 

Position duties include planning and teaching clinic classes and supervising clinic casework, with substantial opportunity to engage in program design and development of further initiatives and growth in clinical programs. The Director also participates in public service activities; serves on faculty committees; counsels students; and is encouraged to teach additional courses outside the clinic consistent with the Director’s availability and interests and curricular need. 

For the non-tenure-track version of the position, opportunities and support for scholarly research and writing will certainly be provided, although other contributions to legal education, the legal profession, and society are equally valued in awarding long-term contract status. For the tenure-track version, there will be a greater emphasis placed on scholarly output and engagement in the evaluation of promotion and tenure.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A JD degree.
• A minimum of five years of experience as a practicing lawyer, clinical professor, or equivalent experience.
• Membership in good standing in the bar of at least one state.
• Membership in the Connecticut bar or the ability to become a member within one year of hire.
• Significant experience with transactional legal work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Clinical or other relevant teaching experience.
• Experience in program management or development.
• Experience in supervising law students or lawyers new to practice.
• A demonstrated commitment to serving marginalized populations.
• Active participation in relevant scholarly and/or professional communities.
• Engagement with legal scholarship.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Salary and rank will be commensurate with background, qualifications, and experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement annuities, and research support.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/22602 and submit the following application materials:

• A letter of interest,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Writing sample(s),
• Recent teaching evaluations (if any),
• Contact information for three letters of reference.

Any questions about application materials may be directed to the appointments committee chair, Kiel Brennan-Marquez, at kiel.brennan-marquez@uconn.edu. For questions about UConn Law clinical programs more generally, and the Transactional Clinic, please contact Associate Dean Jessica Rubin at jessica.rubin@uconn.edu.  

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.