Postsecondary Law Teachers
Law teachers work at colleges and universities teaching future lawyers about different areas of law like criminal justice, business law, and constitutional rights. They create course materials, grade exams and papers, and help students plan their academic journey toward becoming lawyers or working in legal fields. Many also conduct research on legal issues and publish their findings in academic journals. These professors often work in flexible environments, collaborating with colleagues on curriculum development and serving on various academic committees.
Did you know?
Most positions require a J.D. degree with many preferring additional credentials like LL.M. or S.J.D., plus bar admission and often scholarly publications.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$126,900 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Speaking
Things to consider
Highly Competitive Job Market
The academic legal field has intense competition for tenure-track positions, with hundreds of qualified candidates competing for limited openings at law schools.
Practical Legal Experience Valued
Many American law schools prefer candidates with real-world legal practice experience to enhance classroom instruction and student preparation for the profession.
Key responsibilities
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as civil procedure, contracts, and torts.
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Assign cases for students to hear and try.