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Job Title: Law School Professor/Advisor
Type of Company: I work for a large non-profit university with a mission toward premier legal education.
Education: Tufts University, BA in English and History •• Emory University School of Law, JD
Previous Experience: I began as a paralegal, went to law school, clerked as a federal district court clerk and then a litigator. After I had kids, I transitioned first into government work in the appellate courts and then into teaching an adjunct class at one law school and doing international career advising at another.
Job Tasks: In one of my jobs I teach law students about how to do legal research and writing. It is really important for lawyers to understand the specialized way that they are expected to find answers to questions and express them in writing. For that reason, this is a required class at law school. I teach one night a week during the fall semester and give the students many writing assignments that I need to review and grade. Grading takes way more of my time than teaching, though teaching is certainly the fun part of the job.
In my other job I advise law students about international career opportunities. I work with both American law students who would like to work abroad once they graduate and with international lawyers who would like to work in the US or abroad after they get an advanced degree in the law. I help them determine what they want to do the most and how to get the job they seek. I put on programs about how to interview, write a resume, determine your favorite career goal, and interpret your role in the current economy.
I also meet with students one-on-one to discuss any issues they are having and to give individualized advice. One of the most fun parts of my job is meeting lawyers from around the world and hearing about their careers.
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of my teaching job is actually teaching class and getting to know the students. The worst part is grading papers and dealing with students who are upset about grades. The best part of my advising job is getting to know the students and meeting lawyers from around the world.
The worst part is the administrative end of the planning and organizing programs.
Job Tips:
1. Do not go to law school unless you can articulate a real reason for wanting to be a lawyer.
2. As hard as this may be, learn how to write beautifully - there is no better way to distinguish yourself from the pack.
3. Never stop networking - the more people you know and impress along the way, the easier both your career and any transitions you need to make during your career will be.
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Please also see our detailed information about Postsecondary Law Teachers, including:
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