From a recent email message:
UMKC School of Law offers an exciting opportunity to become part of a vibrant advocacy program as a Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellow. This Fellowship in Advocacy provides the opportunity to earn a Masters of Law Degree in Lawyering (LL.M). Fellows will develop new skills in the art of advocacy, learn to teach advocacy, and learn how to train others in these skills as well as in substantive areas of law. Our Fellows play a vital role in continuing to build a premier national advocacy program as they significantly enhance their own advocacy skills.
UMKC School of Law has a premier program in Advocacy. The program offers a full range of course work, clinics, field placements, and continuing education programs. In 2023, UMKC Law School's Trial Advocacy program was ranked #59 in the nation by US News & World Report. In addition, The National Jurist gave UMKC an A- rating in Trial Advocacy. UMKC School of Law collaborates with area U.S. Attorney Offices, Federal and State Public Defenders, the Midwest Innocence Project, and the Kansas City Youth Court.
Fellows will teach or co-teach trial advocacy and appellate advocacy classes and may teach other substantive courses as needed. Fellows will coach and directly supervise students in mock trial and moot court competitions. Duties will involve assisting with course planning, creation, development, preparation, and instruction. Fellows will be engaged, collegial, and cooperative members of the Advocacy and law school communities, bringing Advocacy insights and opportunities to other departments upon request or need. Fellows will also help coordinate internal and external trial and appellate competitions and externships in the community as well as foster excellent working relationships with the local bar and judiciary.
This full-time Fellowship is a contractual appointment for up to two years and includes tuition assistance toward fifteen hours of the LL.M. degree and opportunities for course work, research, writing, and scholarship during the Fellowship term.
Requirements for the position include a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school and the academic and professional credentials to be admitted to the LL.M. in Lawyering. Once hired, candidates will be permitted to opt-out of the LL.M and coursework components of the Fellowship.
Qualifications for the position include excellent speaking, leadership, organizational, and motivational skills; familiarity with law school advocacy teams; strong academic record and/or other indicia of high-performance ability; a strong interest in teaching and an overall commitment to excellence and results as well as building reputation in the local and national communities. Prior coaching experience is preferred.
Salary is $40,000-45,000/year, depending on qualifications. The position includes full benefits, including health insurance and CLE requirements. Advocacy teaching and coaching occurs in the fall and spring semesters, affording opportunity during the summer for planning and research.
UMKC is the urban law school of the University of Missouri System and is located on a beautifully landscaped campus in the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City, Missouri. It is the only law school in a diverse and vibrant metropolitan area of more than two million people and offers courses leading to J.D. or LL.M. degrees for approximately 450 students. It benefits from its metropolitan location, a university with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, a dedicated faculty and staff, and strong community and alumni support.
Application Process: The Faculty Appointments Committee of the School of Law will review applications made through the UMKC Human Resources portal: http://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/. Enter Job ID No. 47889.
Candidates should fill out the UMKC application form, provide a statement of interest, and a curriculum vitae (or resume).
For more information, please contact:
Mikah Thompson
Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee
UMKC School of Law
816-235-2688
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We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.
In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.
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