So, You Want to Be an Adjunct Professor?: The Processes, Perils, and Potential

Abstract

The American Bar Association’s “50 Simple Ways to Market Your Practice” includes as No. 43 “do adjunct professor work.” In addition, law school economics and restructurings are creating new opportunities for adjunct professor work. If you are intrigued by the possibility of adjunct teaching, now may be just the time to explore such an opportunity with a law school. Law students routinely report high interest and satisfaction with courses taught by practicing attorneys. Yet these successful teaching experiences don’t just happen! There are a number of things to consider before sending your resume to the Dean of your local law school. This article describes best practices to help ensure a successful outcome for an attorney interested in adjunct professor work. Incorporating the best practices in this article into your adjunct teaching will create the learning environment students are seeking, enhance your teaching experience, and leverage this networking and career development opportunity. A decision tree/flow chart is included as an Appendix to the article to assist in determining whether to “do adjunct professor work.”