DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL invites applicants for the position of clinical faculty and Director of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. The position may begin as early as July 2021 and will be a twelve-month position. The faculty position will be annual or long-term contract or tenure-track, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and preferences.

The Middleton Center for Children’s Rights works to advance children's rights and improve the child welfare system.  The Center has played an important role in improving the quality of representation of children and parents, which has been made possible through close working relationships with the juvenile courts and community partners. At the core of the Center’s activities is the Children’s Rights Clinic, which provides an opportunity for students interested in juvenile law to engage in direct representation of children under the supervision of the clinical faculty member. In addition, the Center through its faculty and students, engages in children’s rights advocacy projects, including providing trainings to relevant stakeholders, disseminating information on best practices in children’s representation, and identifying, drafting, and advocating for progressive children’s rights legislation.  

The Director’s duties include case selection and clinic design, supervising direct representation and assessing Clinic students, teaching a weekly skills development seminar for Clinic students, engaging in community education, and directing system reform efforts. There may also be opportunities to teach non-clinical courses and engage in scholarship.

Candidates must possess a J.D. or comparable law degree and be admitted, or able to satisfy the requirements for admission, to the Iowa Bar. An exceptional academic record, distinguished record of clinical teaching or extensive practice-related experience, a demonstrated capacity for excellence in teaching, supervision and assessment, and service is preferred. At least three years of teaching and/or practice experience is also preferred.

Drake has long excelled in clinical education and is a pioneer in the area.  Housed in the state-of-the-art Neal and Bea Smith Law Center, the Legal Clinic is an integral part of the Law School program and is supported by a multi-million dollar endowment.

The Law School is located in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, a thriving metropolitan area of approximately 700,000 people. Des Moines is consistently ranked in national surveys as one of the best places to live in the United States. 

Drake University is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks applicants who reflect the diversity of the nation. No applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or veteran status. Diversity is one of Drake’s core values and applicants need to demonstrate an ability to work with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds.

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately. Applications (including a letter of interest, a complete CV, teaching evaluations (if available), a diversity statement, and the names and addresses of at least three references) should be sent to Professor Ellen Yee, Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee, Drake University Law School, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311 or e-mail: ellen.yee@drake.edu.