Lawyers who teach undergraduate classes: do you have any advice for getting hired as an adjunct?

I have fed and state govt experience, so I’m hoping to teach American Govt or similar courses for poli sci undergrads. I applied to several adjunct pools at nearby community colleges but I’m worried my application will be lost in the abyss.

Thanks!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

The JDs I know who teach at undergrads teach law related classes and got a referral from other JDs who taught at the school that they knew.

Does anyone at your firm teach? Is your law school connected to an undergrad? If there is a law school local to you with an attached undergrad, you could look into volunteering there to make connections

like

This is good advice. If you can’t get a referral, I’d also reach out to the department chair of the dept where you want to teach - they would know if there’s currently a need at their school for an adjunct.

like

I’m an adjunct at my former law school. I teach the subject matter I actively practice in, and got the position primarily because I had recommendations from two of my former professors. Law schools tend to treat adjuncts who are still actively practicing quite well. My course is also practice-based meaning it teaches skills that transfer directly into practice in my field.

I think it might be difficult for you to get into undergrad without having done substantial field research or direct experience in that subject. They will likely prefer someone with teaching experience. I would try and volunteer for some seminars or work on a teaching certificate prior if you are really passionate about working undergrad.

like

Thank you, this is very helpful advice.

I’m surprised a college would hire a JD to teach government - it’s not a terminal degree in the field….

They will want to know that you know how to teach. Subject matter expertise is one thing; being able to teach it is another. Have you ever taught? Designed a syllabus? Highlighting any relevant experience would be essential.

like

Right - most law professors just have a JD because that is in practice a terminal degree in law (SJD is a rare degree). In poli sci/govt, the terminal degree would be a PhD. The training of a PhD is significantly different than the training for a JD. In my experience, it’s unusual for a JD to teach in a social science dept (and where it happens, it’s a superstar law prof), but the reqs might be different at a community college.

like

Get referral

How get referral

The governor of Maryland started a “Feds to Ed”program.

Related Posts

How much Capgemini can give for 4.8 year of experience in React JS my current CTC is 14.5 LPA

Hi Fishes anyone here working in ADDA project

I got an offer from Deloitte and they have started my H1B transfer. In the meantime I got an interview call from Google (Which I would prefer over Deloitte). Can I continue interviewing while H1B transfer is in progress? If I get the second offer (Which is a big IF) can I so no to Deloitte at that point after the H1B is approved?

like

Is Canada visa initiated for anyone in TCS

Is there some specific time when visa will be initiated for Canada

Best month to find an apartment? Currently a nomad working abroad so want to strategically time my move back to NYC. Lived here for 5 years but always stuck in the summer rental cycle

like

Hi, I'm going on a family vacation to Dominican Republic in January. Looking for some suggestions on best things to do, see and experience.

Is it too early to apply for jobs with Q4 start?

like

I’ve been at my clerkship for 5 years (4 with a different judge) and one with my current judge, and I heard horrible things about him before starting, but I assumed they were exaggerated. Turns out they’re all true, and I’ve had to start therapy to deal with him and the incredibly toxic environment. I’m trying to get out ASAP b/c he also has a history of firing clerks without cause or notice, but I think I’ll only be able to give two weeks notice if i get the job I’m interviewing for. Thoughts?

like

I had two rounds of discussion (more than a month ago) and the recruiter informed me that they’ll be scheduling the HR discussion and then be rolling out the offer.

It has been two weeks now and I haven’t heard from the recruiter nor has my HR discussion been scheduled.

The recruiter does not answer my calls or reply to e-mails.

Has anyone else faced this while interviewing with KGS (Customer Advisory)?

Freelancers: what umbrella companies do you recommend? Had a bad experience w/ Parasol & looking for alternatives (avoiding the LTD/sole trader route as I can’t be bothered w/ invoicing/accounting).

like
like

What's it like working with BCG in Dubai? Which service lines have the best people and which should be avoided?

like

Trinity Consulting TRINITY did any of you apply for the EVAP transfer and get rejected? Just learnt that LT is actively trying to reduce the number from their respective pods and only 'allowing' 1 of the many that applied (in one pod)

like

Hello Fishes,
I need a suggestion.
I have 3.3 YoE in sap po with knowledge of sap abap.
I am interested to work in development for po and abap both. Now i am in po sustain team but in a good project.
Should I switch? Is there any future or opportunities as sap abap and po developer?

like

Any tips on how to bring in clients to the firm? I do L&E and one of the things my firm goes over during annual evals is whether we bring in business, even for third year associates.

like

Is relocating to Pune mandatory? Do they allow to work from Mumbai office?

Hey anyone here?

like

Hi Fishes,
I am going to join ZS in 2 weeks. It was mentioned in the OL that I will be provided a accomodation for first 2 weeks .
It would be great if you guys please throw some idea on thi..
As, how is the quality of the accomodation?
Is food also available there??
Can I take my parents??

like

Additional Posts in Law

Mid-senior level transactional folks: how do you originate deals? The only deals I originate come from when one of my corporate clients randomly decides to sell a business. There has to be another way to land more deals, right?

like

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

like

I'm a junior associate. A couple people have left my small firm and I'm now the lone associate at our main office. I've now been told I am "temporary senior associate or permanent or partner whatever that results in." Please send help. I'm just a baby attorney still.

like

Well I learned my lesson. Never work with Wells Fargo. Any good banks I should switch to?

like

Transactional associate. Lateraled 6 months ago and one of the biggest pain points has been my new firm’s inclination to “hop on a call”, which of course requires every single stakeholder to join. The end result being every call has 25 people on it and nothing actually gets done because no one wants to ask a question that could come off as silly. It’s destroying my ability to get anything done during the day. It’s a complete performance and it drives me nuts.

like

Are new associates in your firm eligible for bonuses in their stump year?

like

How do you recommend dealing with a partner senior to you trying to do anything possible to push you out, force you to quit, or get you fired for years? Owner knows my abilities and likes me (contd)

like

Any advice on how to deal with a partner/boss who is shifting all responsibility to me with zero guidance, no mentoring, and an unwillingness to discuss the issues? (Small firm, only associate under this partner and have been working at the firm for 2 years). There are an increasing number of passive aggressive comments from the partner who expects to be completely hands off once the case lands on my desk. Wants me to figure it all out despite cases being from different areas of law.

like

I found out a soon to be 2nd year associate got a 10k raise making his salary 110k now, while I, the soon to be 3rd year associate got a 2k raise making my salary 107k. So now the 2nd year male associate is making more money than me. How do I bring this up to the partners?

like

For those of you required to be in office- do people use the phone and email to contact you or do they still come by in person? People in my office seem not to understand how the phone works...

like

I need an assistant/paralegal. Probably part time at first. I live/work in a small city in Oklahoma, solo practice. I would like approx 10 billable hours/week (if part time) from them. What do i look for in one? Pay amount? (Most here make around $12/hour). Incentives for bonus money?

like

Does anyone else constantly have lint in their belly button? Can be 30 minutes post-shower, right when waking up, mid-day, it doesn’t matter.

likefunny

Hardest part of navigating maternity leave and WLB as a junior partner?

like

Any non-US lawyers who have been hired by an Am100 firm without having sat the bar? Looking for an opportunity in the US, if possible DC or NYC, and currently working for Big Law in Europe.

Would like some tips re hiring process + visa from those who have succeeded. Looking for a 1-2 year stay and open for longer term

like

Parental leave: do you have to be at a company or firm for a year before being eligible to take parental leave? Are there any companies/firms that don't have this requirement?

like

Last associates committee meeting is coming up. Partners have asked each associate to come up with... not one... but FIVE marketing ideas. Other than reeling out “we offer competitive pay” in job postings, what are some good ones your firm does?

I’m struggling a bit. If I knew how to market well, I certainly wouldn’t be in this position.

like

Mid-level associate at a mid-size regional insurance defense firm practicing coverage litigation. Salary is capped b/c my firm only does I.D./coverage and has no direct-hire comm clients. Second round of interviews with a comm lit boutique where I would be the only associate with 5 partners. Other than partner track, salary/benefits, and switching from coverage to general comm lit, what qualities of the move should I be thinking about as I weigh my options? I've never worked at another firm.

like

When negotiating a sign on bonus with a new firm based on the fact that you were anticipating a bonus for that fiscal year and are leaving before that is paid out, do you have to do anything to prove you would have actually received a bonus/the amount of bonus you would have received?

like

This is not my wheelhouse so I’m not sure of the answer. If someone is writing a “memoir” and is including me in it, and I DONT want to be in the book, do I have any legal recourse? I understand since it’s been published it doesn’t meet any invasion of privacy or potential defamation yet, but is there something I can do preliminarily to protect myself and stop my inclusion?

like

Am 2 months in to a new job with billable hours and I am miserable. How do I seamlessly go back to my old firm? Is this move a career killer?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal