Open Thread

Could you please bump the lateral moves posting?

Dan Filler's in charge of this; I'll ask him to move the lateral hiring post up.

When will you have the entry-level survey?

How much money do law professors make? I'm sure it will be a pretty wide range, but I've wondered the difference between the newest hire vs. the highest paid.

"I thought I'd ask: what's on your mind?"

Lately I've been thinking, "what's for dinner?", and more distantly, "how long is it going to take me to read that paper I need to read for class tomorrow?" I'm not sure those make very useful blog topics, though.

Very funny, Matt!

Rockfish — Dan Filler has extensive lists of faculty salaries in the faculty compensation category, available here:
http://www.thefacultylounge.org/faculty-compensation/
You might also be interested in the SALT survey, available here:
http://www.saltlaw.org/contents/view/salarysurvey

What can I do when I feel my professor is overly socratic (vague) in his teaching method?

What can I do when my professor does not give me any specific comments on my writing? If I just ask for more specific comments will that go over well?

I know I can wait for the comment sheets at the end of the semester for both problems, but I'd rather get more out of the experience now.

Todd, I recommend that you go to your prof's office hours, or make an appointment to talk with him. If you approach the meeting in the spirit of seeking advice about your writing and your understanding of the course, rather than to tell him he's not a good teacher, it's likely that you'll be able to work with him to improve your understanding of the course. And I would ask specifically about what his advice is for how you might improve a particular aspect of your paper — rather than just asking him to be more specific in his comments. Most faculty truly want to help you learn, even though there is sometimes a disconnect between a student's needs and a teacher's approach.

And for Al — what's your reaction to this: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/fashion/20Cultural.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=phone&st=cse (Don't Call Me, I Won't Call You). Is voice communication headed for the dustbin of history, or will it still play a role? How much do you use your office phone?

Anonme: The entry-level survey just went up at PrawfsBlawg (Larry Solum isn't doing it this year). Here is the PrawfsBlawg link:
http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblawg/2011/03/rookies-hiring-an-open-thread.html

If one wants to become a legal academic, are they better off:

A) staying at their non-Michigan Big 10 state school where they have strong relationships with faculty members

or

B) transferring to UChicago/NYU/Columbia

Transfer!

See this paper and check out the images:

Reproduction of Hierarchy? A Social Network Analysis of the American Law Professoriate

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1352656

B/c the law job market is so driven by hierarchy of the JD school ranking, unfortunately I agree. I would transfer to: Chicago. 2nd choice Columbia, 3rd choice NYU. Get to know faculty your first semester on campus (easier at a smaller school), and maintain your ties w/ profs from your first year. They will help you when you go on the market. And write, write, write.