Workshop for New Law School Teachers

2015 NLT/POC Booklet

Why Attend?

As you know, law schools are facing unprecedented challenges brought about by the nationwide downturn in student applications and a host of other changes and transformations. New law teachers, including those joining law school faculties as tenure-track, lecturer, clinical, or visiting appointees, need to understand these challenges in order to succeed in their new careers as scholars, teachers, mentors, and institutional citizens.

At this year’s workshop, participants will be able to share their experiences, and concerns both with each other and with a roster of inspirational scholars and teachers chosen for their commitment to legal education, the distinction they have achieved in their own careers, and the diversity of their scholarly and pedagogical approaches. These speakers will pass along valuable advice about developing, placing, and promoting one's scholarship as well as tips and techniques for successful student engagement and assessment. They will also address the often competing demands of institutional service and the evolving expectations of law students and faculty colleagues.

For new Legal Writing faculty, this Workshop offers additional specialized training opportunities, including sessions on: designing legal writing course materials, establishing learning outcomes, providing students with valuable feedback on their legal writing assignments, and producing scholarship in legal writing as well as other fields.

In contrast to joining a law school faculty many years ago, an increasing number of today’s new teachers have a first article already written and a scholarly network already underway. Yet, there is something truly special about an event that draws together new professionals from around the country. There’s a great benefit in the comradery fostered at workshops of this kind. For that reason among the many others, the planning committee and presenters look forward to welcoming new faculty members as they embark on this next phase of their legal career.

Who Should Attend?

The workshop will benefit those in their first few years of teaching in any program in the law school, including clinic and legal writing, tenure track and contract, and visiting assistant professors.