Job description
Posting Number: 20260049F
Location
Villanova, PA
Work Schedule: full-time/10-months
Department: 241-Law School Instruction
Position Summary
Why work at Villanova?
- Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
- Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
- Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law seeks an outstanding lawyer- educator to join its Legal Writing faculty beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. We seek applicants interested in teaching students enrolled in the first-year legal writing and/or second-year legal writing courses. This position is a continuing non-tenure track position.
Villanova’s Legal Writing Program includes required courses in the first and second years of law school. Legal Writing faculty are responsible for teaching two sections per semester. Faculty teaching the 1L course are responsible for teaching approximately 22 students per section, and faculty teaching the 2L course are responsible for teaching approximately 24 students per section. In addition to weekly class meetings, faculty 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 a trial brief and oral argument. Throughout the first-year course, students are expected to develop facts, draft formal and informal memoranda to an assigning attorney, make oral presentations to their supervisors, prepare court documents, and work collaboratively in small groups.
During the second year, students have the option to fulfill the required legal writing course by choosing one of two tracks: a litigation track or a non-litigation/transactional track. Students may fulfill their second-year legal writing requirement in either the fall or spring semester. In the litigation track, students write and argue an appellate problem. In the non-litigation/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.
How to apply
- Application cover letter,
- Current and complete curriculum vitae,
- Statement of teaching philosophy,
- List of three 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. See Villanova’s Mission Statement.
Review of applications begins in August 2026 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.
