The Faculty Lounge

Labor Day

The final verse is outdated, but this is otherwise a classic performance.

Hiring Announcement: Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

From an email message that I recently received (additional to previous announcement on 8/19/22):

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is now accepting applications for a tenure-track or tenured position to begin August 1, 2023.  We are seeking candidates with expertise in civil law.  We especially welcome applications from candidates who will add to the diversity of our educational community and who have demonstrated expertise in working with a diverse student body.  J.D. or equivalent is required.  If you are interested in applying, please send your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and a statement about how you can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to [email protected].  

About the College of Law

The College of Law is located in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, with unique cuisine, museums, historical sites, and a flourishing arts and music community.  New Orleans is the seat of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, as well as other lower courts.  The College of Law has a student population of approximately 500 students, over forty faculty members, active clinics that have spearheaded numerous social justice reform efforts, and summer programs in Europe and Central America.  Its location in Louisiana, one of the world’s best known “mixed jurisdictions,” provides unique opportunities for comparative and international law scholarship.

Loyola University is an educational institution dedicated to fostering intellectual achievement, personal development, and social responsibility, and it is committed to the human dignity and worth of every person.  Loyola University strongly encourages applications from individuals who will bring diversity to the community.

 

Pitt Law Seeks Multiple Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty

This just in:

The University of Pittsburgh School of Law invites applications for five (5) tenure-stream and/or lateral faculty positions for the 2023-24 academic year. The School of Law is looking for candidates from any area of research/specialization. We have a particular need in corporate/business law and commercial law and are looking to fill the W. Edward Sell Professor of Business Law chair. In addition, as part of its ongoing effort, the school continues to look for candidates who are interested in being part of university-wide initiatives aimed to quickly advance Pitt’s expertise in Latinx Studies and Race and Social Determinants of Equity and Well-Being.  All candidates should have a J.D. or equivalent degree.

The School of Law is located on the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh, one of the nation’s top public research universities, close to state and federal courts, major corporate headquarters, and local, national, and international law firms. The University is one of the anchor institutions of Pittsburgh, a city that has enjoyed a remarkable transformation and continues to reinvent itself as a world-class center of education, medicine, and technology.

In furtherance of our strong institutional commitment to a diverse faculty, we particularly welcome applications from those who are members of underrepresented groups and others who would bring diverse ideas and perspectives to our community. Recruitment is subject to approval by the University’s Provost.

Contact: Professors Christian Sundquist and Greer Donley, Co-Chairs, Faculty Appointments Committee, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 3900 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]. Email submissions are preferred. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Drexel University Kline Law Seeks Faculty

Once in awhile I get to post for my own school - often for opportunities related to our growing Center for Law and Transformational Technology.  This time it's that and more!  We are hiring two entry-level or junior (untenured) tenure-track faculty.  Our prime areas of focus are law and technology and private/business law.  I'll post our full announcement below, but I just want to say that (as a transplant myself) Philadelphia is an amazing, active and affordable town - and University City,  the neighborhood where Drexel and Penn sit cheek by jowl,  is one of the best university communities in America. 

The Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law invites applications from entry-level and pre-tenure lateral candidates for two full-time, tenure-track positions expected to begin in fall 2023. One position is focused on candidates working at the intersection of law and technology, with a particular focus on individuals interested in collaborating with faculty in the university’s strong engineering, computing, and related programs. For the second position, the law school has specific needs in the areas of contract law, business and corporate law (business organizations, business finance, securities), health law, and criminal procedure.

Candidates must have a demonstrated record of significant scholarly achievement and a demonstrated commitment to excellent teaching. Because the law school is part of an R1 research university, tenure stream faculty are expected to engage in significant research and demonstrate educational, methodological, or practice backgrounds that add vitality to their work. Drexel University and the Kline School of Law are particularly committed to cross-campus collaboration and research that extends beyond disciplinary borders. There is also a strong interest in research centered around Law and Society. In teaching, the faculty is committed to offering a rich mix of theory and practice.

Applications are particularly encouraged from people of color, individuals with disabilities, people of all sexual and gender identities, and anyone whose background, experience or viewpoint will contribute to the diversity of the faculty. Salaries are commensurate with experience.

The law school was founded in 2006.  It has rapidly established a strong reputation and delivered excellent outcomes for students.  Over the last few years,  it has risen 51 places in US News to its current rank of #78. For the past two years, Above the Law ranked the Kline School of Law in the Top 50. The law school’s employment outcomes are consistently excellent - in the top 20 nationally two years ago. The law school’s mock trial team is among the top five in the country and the moot court team in the top 25. Law school faculty are highly visible in the national press, cited for their insights on reproductive freedom, privacy, free speech and association, health law and policy, social security and pension law, immigration law, and the Supreme Court, among other things.

Drexel University, an R1 private research university with over 24,000 students, is particularly known for its programs in engineering, computing, public health, and medicine, as well as its College of Computing and Informatics which includes the Isaac L. Auerbach Cybersecurity Institute. 

To apply, please send a cover letter, research and diversity statements, and curriculum vitae (with references) to Faculty Appointments Chair David S. Cohen at [email protected].

Emeritus

After 47 years on the Northwestern Law faculty -- and 51 of the last 56 at Northwestern -- today is my first day as the Williams Memorial Professor Emeritus.

 

I will be teaching one class in the Fall semester for the foreseeable future, and continuing to write my column for The Hill and opeds in various other publications.

Saturday music posts will not be affected.

West Point: Science Department and Ku Klux Klan

Odd. West Point and Science Department and Ku Klux Klan (I guessing that Klan was 1930s)....

Hiring Announcement: Vermont Law and Graduate School

From an email message that I received today:

Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), a national leader in environmental law and restorative justice, invites applications for two tenure-track faculty positions with expertise in environmental law, with emphasis in the areas of water law, land use, sustainability, private governance, and environmental justice. One or both positions may start as early as Spring 2023; the precise start date is flexible. This search is part of a multi-year strategic hiring plan, and entry-level, junior, and senior lateral candidates will be considered. The school’s curricular needs include required and elective courses in the JD, LLM, and Master’s programs.  Candidates should demonstrate evidence of, or potential for, outstanding scholarly achievement and strong, innovative, and engaged teaching.

In addition to teaching, faculty provide service to VLGS and engage with other professionals and the public to contribute to the intellectual exchange of ideas, improve the law, and educate the public about the law, with an eye towards social justice. VLGS is in South Royalton, Vermont, a small town on the banks of the beautiful White River. Less than thirty minutes away lie the amenities of the adjacent communities of Hanover, NH (home to Dartmouth College) and Lebanon, NH. Burlington, VT, Boston, MA, and Montreal, QC are all within a three-hour drive.  

Applicants must complete an online application and electronically submit (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a research agenda; and (4) the names and contact information of three references. VLGS will only contact references for finalists. VLGS strongly encourages applications from those who would bring increased diversity to our community. Direct inquiries about the position to [email protected]. Applications submitted by September 23, 2022, will receive first consideration. The positions will remain open until filled.  

NC Mayor Destroys Confederate Monument

North Carolina Mayor live streams destruction of Confederate monument.

South Carolina Law Seeks Multiple Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty

This just in:

The University of South Carolina School of Law is hiring up to five tenured or tenure-track faculty members. The School of Law is interested in candidates who are qualified to teach Environmental Law, Business Law, Trust and Estate/Tax, Criminal Practice clinic (or criminal-adjacent), and a new housing and evictions defense clinic; however, outstanding candidates from other areas will be considered and are encouraged to apply. Our clinical positions are tenured/tenure-track. The School of Law encourages candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our law school community to apply.

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

 

Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Documentary

 Here is the trailer for an upcoming documentary about the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington fugitive rescue, on which I consulted. I make my appearance at 2:07:

The documentary is still in production. I will post further information once it has been distributed to PBS stations.

 

Hubbell Environmental Law Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law

The University of Iowa College of Law seeks applicants for the Hubbell Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2023/2024 academic year.

This position is part of a newly created initiative at the University of Iowa College of Law and will be a full-time appointment for either one or two semesters. The Hubbell VAP will teach in the environmental law curriculum and will be encouraged to pursue independent research. Under the supervision of the initiative’s Faculty Director, and in collaboration with a Program Director, the Hubbell VAP will participate in initiative-sponsored events such as academic workshops and conferences. In addition to those responsibilities, the person holding this appointment will participate fully in the life of the College but will have only limited service assignments. For more information about the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, see https://law.uiowa.edu/news/2022/01/introducing-hubbell-environmental-law-initiative.

Iowa Law is especially well known for its strong focus on law teaching, exceptionally comprehensive law library, and collaborative atmosphere. The University of Iowa itself is a major public research university located in Iowa City, a quintessential college town brimming with writers, students, and scholars.   

The person hired will be appointed at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor of Law.  The salary for the 2023/2024 academic year will be competitive and determined according to years of experience. In addition, the Hubbell VAP will receive research support including research funds, travel funds, and the opportunity to hire law student research assistants. The Hubbell VAP will be expected to be in full-time residence at Iowa Law and participate in the intellectual life of the College during the academic year.

For required qualifications, please see below.

To apply for the Hubbell Environmental Law Visiting Assistant Professor position, an applicant should submit the following through the Jobs@UIowa portal at https://jobs.uiowa.edu/faculty/view/74552.

• cover letter
• resume or CV
• graduate and professional transcripts
• writing sample
• three letters of reference providing support specific to the fellowship

Required qualifications

• A J.D. or equivalent
• Strong academic record
• Previous work experience in law practice and environmental policy
• Strong potential for teaching
• Strong potential for research
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective and respectful working relationships with the campus community to uphold a standard of cultural competency and respect for differences consistent with the College of Law’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Review of applications will begin August 26, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.  For more information, please contact Chris Odinet, chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, at [email protected].

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or [email protected], to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.

Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.

Iowa Law Faculty Fellowship

The University of Iowa College of Law seeks applicants for the Iowa Law Faculty Fellowship.  This program provides research and teaching opportunities, faculty mentoring, and career development for promising legal scholars and teachers aiming to launch new careers in legal academia.  The program also aims to further the College of Law’s and the University of Iowa’s longstanding goals of increasing diversity in the legal profession and recruiting and retaining a more diverse campus community of faculty, staff, and students.  (For information on the College’s DEI commitments and activities, see Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | College of Law - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu). For information on the University’s DEI commitments and activities, see Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu).) 

Iowa Law is well known for its strong focus on law teaching, exceptionally comprehensive law library, and collaborative atmosphere.  The University of Iowa itself is a major public research university located in Iowa City, a quintessential college town brimming with writers, students, and scholars.   

Iowa Law Faculty Fellows concentrate on those aspects of academic life that are most likely to be helpful in preparing for a faculty career in legal education.  Typically, faculty fellows teach one course during the academic year, with the remainder of the fellow’s time devoted to research and development of one or more major works of scholarship. The fellow works closely with a faculty mentor and advisory team of faculty members.  Faculty fellows participate in the life of the College but have limited service assignments so they can concentrate on teaching and scholarship.  Fellows are expected to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at the College and University.   

Initial Faculty Fellowship appointments are for two years.  Fellows will be appointed at the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor of Law.  Most Faculty Fellows will participate in the law hiring market during the second year of the fellowship.  The salary for the 2023-2024 academic year will be competitive with well-regarded law fellowship and VAP programs.  In addition, Faculty Fellows will be provided with research support including research funds, travel funds, and the opportunity to hire law student research assistants.  Fellows will be expected to be in full-time residence at Iowa Law and participate in the intellectual life of the College during the academic year.

To apply for the Iowa Law Faculty Fellowship program, an applicant should submit the following through Jobs@Iowa, at jobs.uiowa.edu (refer to requisition # 74562):

• Cover letter, including a description of the applicant’s (1) research plan to be carried out during the fellowship and (2) plans for contributing to diversity, equity and inclusion goals at the College and University during the fellowship.
• V.
• Graduate, and professional transcripts (including law school transcripts)
• Academic writing sample
• Three letters of reference providing support for the applicant’s potential as a legal scholar and teacher

Required qualifications:

• D. or equivalent, or a Ph.D. from a relevant field of study.
• Strong potential for legal teaching
• Strong potential for legal scholarship
• Strong potential for making contributions to the College’s and University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired qualifications:

• Alignment between the proposed research plan and collegiate and university resources and opportunities.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  For more information, please contact Chris Odinet, chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, at [email protected].

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply for all employment vacancies. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Office of Institutional Equity, 319/335-0705, The University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242-1316.  Persons with disabilities may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or [email protected], to inquire or discuss accommodation needs.  Prospective employees may review the University Campus Security Policy and the latest annual crime statistics by contacting the Department of Public Safety at 319/335-5022.

University of Mississippi School of Law Seeks Dean

This just in:

The University of Mississippi (www.olemiss.edu) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Law.

The University of Mississippi School of Law (http://law.olemiss.edu/) was established in 1854 and is the first and only public law school in the state. The School of Law has a record of hiring and retaining distinguished faculty and nationally recognized scholars and attracting highly qualified students. The School is known for its academic rigor, its seven robust clinic programs, three academic concentrations, and five law journals. In 2016, The National Jurist magazine named the University of Mississippi School of Law among the top 25 nationally for practical training available to students.

The School is also among the top law schools in the nation for access and equity.  In 2022, the Rutgers Law Review published an article that finds UM Law to lead among the top law schools for access and equity (https://rutgerslawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/05_Mathis_Website.pdf). The School of Law also received a substantial grant from the University Equity in Action Support Fund to help us expand the school’s already thriving Fall HBCU Preview Day. The School of Law plans to continue this record of excellence by striving to meet the goals adopted by the faculty in the 2020 DEI Strategic plan (https://law.olemiss.edu/about/diversity/strategic-plan-for-diversity-inclusion-and-equity/).

Supporting the School’s strong commitment to academic and scholarly excellence is an endowment exceeding $38 million. The School of Law is located in a state-of-the-art, 120,000 square-foot facility. Accredited by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, the School is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.