Associate Professor of Law, Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills

SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL in Los Angeles invites applications for full-time entry-level or near-entry-level Associate Professors to teach Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills starting in Summer 2027. These positions are flexible, meaning that a candidate may indicate their interest in either a tenure-track or non-tenure-track position. An individual who seeks to be considered for the tenure track must be a lateral candidate who is currently on the tenure-track at another ABA-approved law school or have a record of scholarly publication. 

An initial non-tenure-track position (NTT) contract is typically for two years and may lead to a five-year, presumptively renewable appointment after three full years and a review process. NTT faculty vote on virtually all issues in faculty meetings, including faculty appointments. They also serve on faculty committees, hold significant administrative positions, and are eligible for summer research stipends and sabbaticals (based on scholarly production). 

All 1Ls complete a six-unit, year-long Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills course (LAWS) that introduces students to key lawyering skills and helps prepare them for the real-world demands they will face as attorneys. LAWS I explores issues of professionalism, develops broad-based analytical, research and writing skills, and provides concentrated instruction in the basics of legal methods, legal reasoning, and legal processes. LAWS II enables students to apply their new skills in a hands-on advocacy experience.

We seek candidates who are passionate about teaching and can demonstrate success in the classroom, love working with students outside the classroom, and are willing to contribute to the campus community through committee and related service. 

In addition to our on-campus programs, we offer a mostly asynchronous online J.D. program with full-time and part-time options. We hope many faculty we hire in the coming years will teach in that program. 

Starting entry-level base salary is anticipated to be $145,000. 

About Southwestern

Founded in 1911, Southwestern is an ABA-accredited, independent law school located in the center of Los Angeles. Our mission includes educating lawyers ready to serve clients, the profession, and our society with excellence, empowering students to reach their potential, cultivating inclusion and belonging, and shaping the law and public policy through teaching, scholarship, and service.  

Application Process

To apply, please send your CV, professional references, research agenda (if applicable), and preferred areas of teaching via email to academicadmin@swlaw.edu and put “Faculty Application - LAWS” in the email subject line. Review of applications will begin in mid-August. Initial interviews will be held via Zoom, and callback interviews will be held in person.