Job description
Posting Number: 20251257F
Location
Villanova, PA
Work Schedule: full-time/10-months
Department: 241-Law School Instruction
Position Summary
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law seeks one outstanding lawyer-educator to join its legal writing faculty beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. We seek applicants interested in teaching in our first-year legal writing and second-year transactional writing courses. This is a continuing non-tenure track position.
Villanova’s Legal Writing Program includes required courses in both the first and second years of law school. Legal writing faculty are responsible for teaching two sections per semester. Faculty teaching in the 1L program are responsible for teaching approximately twenty students per section and faculty teaching in the 2L program are responsible for teaching approximately twenty-four students per section. In addition to two-hour weekly class meetings, professors evaluate weekly written assignments and meet with students on a regular basis. Legal writing faculty are a vital part of the Villanova Law community; they have partial voting rights and serve on law school committees and in leadership positions. Legal writing faculty are not required to engage in scholarship, but those who do receive support.
The first-year fall legal writing course focuses on analysis and objective writing, including formal and informal communication, with an emphasis on professionalism. The spring course is devoted to persuasive writing, includes several shorter assignments, and culminates in the drafting of one or more trial briefs and oral argument. Throughout the first-year writing courses, students are expected to develop facts, draft formal and informal memoranda to an assigning attorney, make oral presentations, prepare court documents, and work collaboratively in small groups.
During the second year, the required legal writing course is divided between two tracks: a litigation track and a transactional track. Students have the option to take their one-semester second-year requirement in either the fall or spring semester. In the litigation track, students write and argue an appellate problem. In the transactional track, students develop skills to enable them to represent clients who want to accomplish a goal other than winning a dispute in court.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach courses in the legal writing program, subject to the needs of the Law School.
- Provide service to the Law School, University, profession, and community.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor is required.
- Post law school experience demonstrating the potential for excellence in teaching legal writing is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
Special Message to Applicants
How to apply
Candidates must apply online and include:
- Application cover letter,
- Current and complete curriculum vitae,
- Statement of teaching philosophy,
- List of 3 references (we will contact the references for finalists only),
- Unofficial academic transcripts. Official transcripts will be required from finalist only.
All applicants must apply through the official Villanova University posting and send application materials to [email protected].
Finalists will be required to submit a statement on their contributions to the University Mission and Enduring Commitments.
Mission Statement | Villanova University
Review of applications begins upon receipt and continues until the position is filled.
Salary Posting Information
Competitive
Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
