AALS Arc of Career Program

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Much attention is given to preparing new teacher-scholars virtually no attention to or discussion about how to leave the legal academy after a substantial career as a law professor. This discussion focuses on how and when to retire as a law professor - how to leave and where to go. The program addresses emotional and psychological challenges likely to occur as you prepare for this important transition. How do you perceive the “new you”? The law school community must change as a long-time valued member of the faculty leaves. In varying ways, your retirement affects the remaining faculty members, students, alums, members of the legal profession as well as the broader community.

We expect at the end of this session that attendees will have: a better sense of the important questions to ask while preparing for life beyond the legal academy; further insight into their own aspirations and apprehensions regarding the post legal academy adventure; a preliminary strategy for prioritizing and identifying post legal academy activities; a sense of expectation and encouragement regarding the law school professor “afterlife” rather than dread and fear; a handout designed to help them to continue planning for their future.