Externship Director
Responsible for overall design and operation of the externship program, including the program’s fit in the overall educational program for JD students, ensuring high-quality placements and compliance with ABA Standards. Work collaboratively with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Success in the design and operation of the program including the following components.
Leading an Externship Program that builds on classroom learning and fosters students’ professional identities including assisting students’ in placement in externships. Such placements may eventually include all types of legal practice, including public service, private practice, and industry. mentoring students as they develop a professional identity and their lawyering skills; working with students to develop individual learning plans for their externship semester(s); supervising externship credits, including reviewing written submissions from students about the experience at their placements and regular meetings with students to support their learning; communicating with field placement supervisors to develop an appropriate three-way agreement and on a regular basis about student’s progress.
Contributing to a successful professional identity program including coordinating and leveraging career services programs and opportunities with the externship program; participating in advising through developing resources for advisors, students, and advising individual students; working with faculty and assistant deans to develop and execute a plan for programming focused on students’ professional identity and lawyering skills; maintaining regular communications with the bar and bench, including visiting students enrolled in the program and coordinating other visits by law school faculty or assistant deans.
Other Job Functions for this position include general faculty and administrative responsibilities as assigned in the appointment letter, which may include working with administration to determine appropriate staffing for the educational and administrative aspects of the program; supervising administrative staff to ensure records of the work with each student in the program; providing reports to Deans and faculty as requested and appropriate; communicating with faculty and deans at other law schools, including attending and participating in appropriate conferences; developing a communications plan for the externship program with the support of the Communications Director; developing and managing the externship budget; demonstrated ability and willingness to teach in the program year-round.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Admission to practice
- At least five years of experience as a practicing lawyer
- Demonstrated strong interest in all aspects of legal practice and the profession
- Demonstrated comfort with technology
Preferred Qualifications:
- Clinical or externship teaching experiences
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including listening skills and ability to work with students at times of high stress in their lives
- Ability to and interest in in-state and national travel, as necessary
Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience
Required Documents to Apply: Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title)
Optional Documents: Proof of Veteran Status
Recruitment Contact Information: Steve Clowney, Professor of Law, sclowney@uark.edu
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS