THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW's Clinical Program is pleased to announce that it is hiring a Director of its Investor Rights Clinic, one of ten clinics offered at Miami Law. The position is anticipated to begin on July 1, 2023.  Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and no later than September 30, 2022.

Launched in 2012, the Investor Rights Clinic represents under-served investors in securities arbitration claims against their brokers before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest forum for arbitration of securities claims in the United States.  Most of the Clinic’s clients are retirees with limited income and assets and no meaningful prior investment experience. In addition to individual claims, the Clinic seeks to improve the law and give voice to small investors through strategies such as comment letters on rules proposed by federal and state regulators, amicus briefs and advocacy on Capitol Hill. The Clinic also conducts financial literacy and community education focused primarily on preventing fraudulent investment schemes and broker misconduct targeting the elderly and other vulnerable populations. 

Offered as a one-semester, six credit course, the Clinic provides second and third-year law students with the opportunity to develop a range of professional and legal skills including client interviewing and counseling, fact development and analysis, motion practice, negotiation, and oral and written arbitration advocacy skills.  The Clinic has a classroom component where students learn lawyering skills and substantive law on federal and state securities law and broker-dealer regulation. For the field component, students work in teams on all aspects of the arbitration from intake to final settlement or arbitration.

 

The Director will join the vibrant and supportive Miami Law clinical program, currently ranked in the top 30 on U.S. News and World Reports list of best clinical training programs. The Director will have the opportunity to articulate a vision to take the Investor Right Clinic’s strong foundation to the next level and build on the Clinic’s national reputation.  In collaboration with an Associate Director, the Director will run all aspects of the clinic including the teaching of clinic classes, supervising students, managing claims and projects, and representing clients in arbitration matters. The position is designed for a lawyer with deep practice or clinical experience in securities law or related fields. The candidate should have teaching experience or a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in law school clinical teaching. The Director will have the opportunity to participate in the academic life of the law school and in relevant academic and advocacy conferences.

Qualifications

Applicants should have

·       At least five years of legal practice experience;

·       Significant experience in securities law, broker-dealer regulation or related field;

·       Teaching experience or an enthusiasm for clinical teaching, student development, and training;

·       A demonstrated commitment to social justice and public service;

·       Strong oral and written communication skills;

·       Demonstrated organizational skills or experience managing a team of attorneys and other professionals; and

·       A Florida Bar license (or willingness to sit for the Florida Bar).

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include:

·       Develop a vision for the Investor Rights Clinic to achieve the highest quality legal experience for students, representation for clients and contribution to the community.

·       Teach the classroom component of the clinic, including developing a syllabus, designing course materials, and delivering high quality instruction.

·       Handle all aspects of the Clinic’s claims and projects and supervise students to ensure the highest standards of ethical representation.

·       Oversee and manage all aspects of running the Clinic’s practice.

·       Contribute to the law school, legal education, the legal profession or the public good through leadership, service or publications that foster the professional development of our students or advance social justice.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is an Educator Faculty appointment at the Associate Professor of Professional Practice rank. Lateral hires at the rank of Professor of Professional Practice will also be considered. Educator Faculty have governance rights and the possibility of presumptively renewable long-term contracts. The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental benefits, tuition remission, vacation, paid holidays, and much more.

The University of Miami School of Law will consider lateral candidates to join our intellectual community beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year,  For more information, please contact Chair of the Appointments Committee, at AppointmentsCommittee@law.miami.edu.  

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials via the University of Miami employment portal: (1) resume/CV; (2) statement of interest,  including career goals and prior experience providing legal services, teaching, and other relevant experience; (3) two recent writing samples; (4) a list of at least three references and their contact information;  and  (5) a complete law school transcript. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, however applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible and no later than September 30, 2022. 

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.