The Ohio State University, Michael E. Moritz College of Law
The Moritz College of Law invites applications for an Assistant Clinical Professor of Law to teach its two criminal justice clinics beginning in academic year 2017-2018. To allow adequate preparation, the position will start no later than July 1, 2017.
Our College offers both a prosecution clinic (taught each fall semester) and a defense clinic (taught each spring semester). The defense clinic represents indigent misdemeanor defendants in Franklin County, home of the nation’s fifteenth largest city. The prosecution clinic handles misdemeanor cases in nearby Delaware County, which encompasses suburban and rural populations. Both clinics exercise autonomy over selection and handling of all cases.
The Assistant Clinical Professor will team teach both clinics with an experienced member of the Moritz faculty. The two professors will share responsibility for course design, classroom instruction, and student conferences; the newly hired Assistant Clinical Professor will serve as counsel of record in all cases and take primary responsibility for courthouse supervision of the student legal interns.
The position is a nontenure-track position with security reasonably similar to tenure, as provided by ABA Standard 405(c). Professors appointed to this clinical track within the Moritz College of Law shall have relevant practice and occupational experience in their areas of expertise and strong potential in all relevant areas of clinical or skills teaching, such as: (a) supervising students in a clinical or skills setting; (b) handling cases and other matters assigned through the clinical programs; (c) classroom teaching; (d) conforming to the ethical standards of applicable codes of professional responsibility; (e) engaging in public service; (f) expanding understanding of the law through preparation of written materials; and (g) maintaining knowledge in the faculty member’s areas of expertise. Production of traditional scholarship is not required, but the College supports clinical faculty who wish to engage in that activity.
The Assistant Clinical Professor will be hired for an initial probationary period of 3 to 5 years (with annual review) and will have full rights to participate in all College governance matters other than the appointment, promotion, and tenure of tenure-track faculty. Assuming satisfactory performance during the probationary period, the Assistant Clinical Professor will be eligible for promotion to Associate Clinical Professor under a long-term renewable contract of 3 to 5 years that permits removal only for cause or financial exigency. The College would consider lateral appointments (at the Associate Clinical Professor level) only for candidates with significant law school teaching experience.
The position offers a unique opportunity to supervise students in both prosecution and defense work, to expose those students to two very different justice systems, and to engage with the criminal justice system from multiple perspectives. The College has developed strong relationships with the municipal courts, prosecutors, and defense bar in Franklin and Delaware Counties, which allow these clinics to flourish.
We will consider all applicants; we particularly encourage applicants with either defense or prosecution experience to apply. We do, however, prefer candidates with at least three years’ experience practicing criminal law. Candidates should be admitted to the Ohio Bar or be eligible for admission in Ohio. Candidates also should have a record that demonstrates potential for successful clinical teaching and related activities.
A resume, references, and cover letter should be submitted to Professor Steven Huefner, Chair, Clinical Faculty Search Committee, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 55 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Send e-mail applications to huefner.4@osu.edu. Applications will be reviewed beginning December 10 and will be accepted until the position is filled; preference will be given to applications received before January 15, 2017.
The Moritz College of Law recognizes that excellence in a legal education as well as in our legal system, institutions, workplaces and communities is enriched by a diverse faculty, staff and student body. The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.