Legal Writing Prof Blog

Connecticut is Hiring

The University of Connecticut School of Law is seeking a Director of its Legal Practice Program.  Get more information at this link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25375.

Hat tip to Jessica Rubin.

(mew)

Cincinnati is Hiring

The University of Cincinnati College of Law is looking for someone to supervise their moot court teams and advocacy competition teams and to teach some advocacy courses. Contact the law school for more information.

Hat tip to Rachel Smith.

(mew)

Mercer is Hiring

The Mercer University School of Law invites applications from entry-level and pre-tenure lateral candidates (Assistant and Associate rank) for three tenure-track faculty positions to begin in the Fall of 2024. They welcome applications from candidates in all subject matter areas, especially commercial law, and legal writing. They also welcome candidates who are truly entry-level, with no prior law teaching experience, but who show significant promise for excellence in teaching and scholarship.  

Founded in 1873, Mercer University School of Law has a long tradition of producing lawyers who are ready to practice and committed to service. The School has earned a reputation as an excellent provider of legal education with an intense focus on student and faculty interaction. With an enrollment of about 375 students, Mercer Law School is one of 12 schools and colleges of Mercer University, which has been listed among the top institutions of higher education in the nation. The School of Law is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs in legal writing, advocacy (moot court and mock trial), public service, and professionalism and ethics.

The School of Law is located in Macon, Georgia, a city of approximately 156,000. Macon is known for its strong musical heritage (e.g., Otis Redding, Little Richard, the Allman Brothers), its vibrant arts community, its recreational offerings (e.g., the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park), and its affordable cost of living. Located 85 miles from Atlanta, Macon offers the livability of a smaller city with ready access to large city amenities.

Mercer University recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Mercer University is an AA/EEO/Veteran/ADA employer. 

Applicants should have a J.D. degree from an accredited university/college, a commitment to excellence in teaching, and demonstrated potential for excellence in research and scholarship. Interested applicants will need to complete the brief online application at merceruniversity.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/external/...and attach a current CV with the names and contact information for three references. For information contact Professor Pam Wilkins, Chair, Appointments Committee, Mercer University School of Law, [email protected].

Hat tip to Suzianne D. Painter-Thorne

(mew)

“Practical English Language Skills for Lawyers” Wins the 2023 GLS Book Award

Natasha Costello and Louise Kulbicki have won the 2023 Global Legal Skills Book Award for their book, Practical English Language Skills for Lawyers: Improving Your Legal English.” The book was published in 2023 by Routledge (London and New York). The award was presented during the closing plenary session of the Global Legal Skills Conference held July 30 to August 1, 2023 at Nottingham Trent University.

The 354-page book on Practical Legal English Skills includes chapters on networking, telephoning and conference calls, client meetings, presentations, social media marketing, and job applications and interviews. There are also short chapters with advice on legal writing, contract negotiation and drafting, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution. Appendices in the book include questions for self-assessment and peer-assessment, a short chart with examples of how to convert legalese to plain English, transcripts of conversations, and a useful glossary of legal terms.  

Natasha Costello is a non-practicing English solicitor and a former senior lecturer in law at Manchester Metropolitan University in England. She is currenting working as an independent teacher in Paris, where she teaches legal English to practicing French lawyers and to law students at various universities in the Paris area.

Louise Kulbicki is a legal English teacher and the founder of Study Legal English, which provides online legal English resources to learners in more than 140 countries. She gained practical experience in the field of international environmental law before turning to teaching legal English.

Both Natasha and Louise have served on the board of EULETA, the European Legal English Teachers’ Association. EULETA was also recognized with a Global Legal Skills Award during the 2023 GLS Conference in Nottingham.

Pictured here (from left to right) are Natasha Costello, Professor David Austin (California Western School of Law and member of the GLS-15 Planning Committee), Louise Kulbicki, and Mark E. Wojcik (University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and founder of the Global Legal Skills Conference Series).

The next Global Legal Skills Conference will be held June 4-6, 2024 at the University of Bari in Southern Italy.

(mew)