University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is seeking applicants for a 12-month tenured or tenure-track position to teach and direct the Veterans Law Clinic starting with the 2022-23 academic year. Detroit Mercy Law has a unified tenure track regardless of one’s area of teaching focus and supports scholarship from all tenure-track faculty.
The Veterans Law Clinic (VLC), one of the first Veterans Law Clinics in the U.S., was established in 2008. Students enrolled in the VLC represent lower income veterans, families and survivors in obtaining pension, disability compensation, and related benefits, as well as obtaining discharge upgrades and corrections of military records. Students also provide advice and limited representation in some civil and criminal matters. A Veterans Appellate Clinic and Advanced Veterans Law Clinic (for students who have successfully completed the VLC) also are offered. The Veterans Law Clinic director is the primary supervisor for the Toni Wisne Sabina Foundation Veterans Clinic Fellow.
Ideal candidates will have a strong interest and experience working on veterans’ issues; an understanding of the VA system; the ability to think imaginatively and critically about approaches to veterans’ problems; and the ability to work collaboratively with community groups, veterans’ organizations, the VA and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Teaching Veterans Clinic classes and supervising students on case files
- Managing Clinic caseload year round
- Teaching other law school classes as needed or desired
- Participating on faculty committees and in other law school activities
- Helping secure grant funding for the Clinic
- Participating in veterans advocacy projects on a national level
Minimum Requirements:
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school with an excellent academic record
- Michigan Bar license or ability and willingness to promptly obtain license
- Significant legal practice experience
- Demonstrated management, administrative, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Strong writing and communication skills; history of, or willingness to engage in, scholarly writing
- Law School teaching experience, not limited to clinical teaching
- Practice experience representing veterans, including VA accreditation, is strongly preferred
Candidates should send a current CV or resume, along with a cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications, to Prof. Erin R. Archerd, Chair of the Faculty Recruiting Committee, at archerer@udmercy.edu. Candidates may also submit additional materials such as research statements, prior publications, and teaching evaluations. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with initial, online interviews to begin in Summer 2021.
About Detroit Mercy Law
Led by our new Dean, Jelani Jefferson Exum, Detroit Mercy Law offers a curriculum that complements traditional theory- and doctrine-based course work with intensive practical learning. Students must complete at least one clinic, one upper-level writing course, one global perspectives course, and one course within our Law Firm Program, an innovative simulated law-firm practicum. Detroit Mercy Law also offers a Dual J.D. program with the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada in which students earn both an American and a Canadian law degree in three years and gain a comprehensive understanding of two distinct legal systems.
Detroit offers a dynamic variety of culinary, cultural, entertainment, and sporting attractions. Detroit Mercy Law is located one block from the riverfront in Downtown Detroit, within walking distance of federal, state, and municipal courts, the region’s largest law firms, and major corporations such as General Motors, Quicken Loans, and Comerica Bank.
Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private university, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. We seek qualified candidates who will contribute to the University's urban identity, social justice mission, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and tradition of scholarly excellence. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse faculty and student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.
It is the policy of the University of Detroit Mercy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. The University will not discriminate in employment on the grounds of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, medical condition or disability. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment including recruitment, hiring, placement, employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline and termination.