How to Get a Job in Legal Academia
Michigan Law graduates can be found in virtually every law school in the country; and many of our alumni teach at law schools overseas as well. Michigan is known nationally and internationally for being among the small handful of law schools producing the vast majority of law academics. Recent graduates have accepted positions at NYU, University of California-Davis, University of Chicago, and Emory, to name just a few. Our graduates are represented on the faculties of the very top law schools in the country.
If this career path is one that interests you, there are several factors you should consider. The OCS staff, in collaboration with law faculty, have written a guide (PDF) that includes but is not limited to the following topics:
Is Being a Law Professor the Right Job for You?
What UMLS Will Do to Help You Become a Law Professor
Develop Relations with Professors
When to Go on the Academic Market
What You Can Do in Advance to Increase Your Chances
Useful Steps to Take in Advance
Jobs Before Teaching
If you are planning on entering the teaching market in 2009, Michigan Law wants to help:
Michigan Law graduates planning to enter the law teaching market in 2009 should plan to attend the AALS Faculty Recruitment Conference. The conference will take place November 5-7, 2009 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Please visit www.aals.org and click the "Faculty Recruitment" link under the "Services" tab to obtain more information about the conference and the Faculty Appointments Register ("FAR").
A Michigan faculty member will review and comment on your CV to help you put your best foot forward on the teaching market this fall. Please submit your CV as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, July 13, 2009. You may send the CV to aspiringlawprofs@umich.edu. Please put "CV Review" in the subject line of your e-mail.
We will bind all submitted Michigan CV's in a book and forward them to faculty hiring committees at law school across the country. The submission deadline for final inclusion will be Monday, July 27, 2009.
New this year, Michigan Law will host a one-day "camp" for our graduates who are entering the teaching market this fall. You will have the chance to practice your job talk before a panel of Michigan Law faculty and alumni as well as get tips on how to sharpen your interviewing skills in advance of the AALS faculty recruitment conference. Please complete the registration form by Wednesday, September 16, 2009.
Monday, July 13, 2009: Last day to submit your CV for faculty review and comment.
Monday, July 27, 2009: Last day to submit your CV in final form for inclusion in the Michigan Law CV book.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009: First submission deadline for the AALS Faculty Appointments Register.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009: Last day to sign to attend Michigan Aspiring Academics Camp (MAAC).
Friday, October 9, 2009: Michigan Aspiring Academics Camp (MAAC).
Thursday, November 5 - Saturday, November 7, 2009: AALS Faculty Recruitment Conference, Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC.