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Taking Up Teaching Law As A Career

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published March 01, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Students with good academic records and those who have published work that has been widely appreciated should seriously consider a career in teaching.

Life as a law professor typically consists of three types of activities: research, teaching, and service. The chief research activity in law involves the publication of articles in law reviews. Professors may have to edit casebooks as well. Most professors end up writing books on law.

Professors can either teach law in the law school context or at various colleges and universities in business law, political science, history, or literature disciplines. Although professors in law schools enjoy somewhat better salaries, they perform many of the same duties as their college and university counterparts.

Both have to serve on committees and engage in scholarly research (the old "publish or perish" syndrome). They also hold office hours and give exams that may be given only at the end of a course, in the case of law school, or throughout the semester as in colleges and universities. If professors have an area of expertise, there is always the possibility for outside consulting or legal practice as long as it does not interfere with teaching duties and if permitted by their institution.

Even though consulting enhances the classroom experience by providing examples of "real world" experiences, some institutions highly discourage professors from engaging in all but limited consulting during the course of the school year, the school being fearful of obtaining anything less than a professor's full attention.

An obstacle a law graduate may encounter if he or she decides to teach business law at the college or university level involves some self-serving Ph.D.s who believe that anyone, especially Ph.D.s, can teach business law. Perhaps in the past non-lawyers did teach business law, but now business law covers so many current and dynamic topics that it takes an attorney to explain the law, where the law is headed, and why. Business law courses have become Legal Environment of Business courses, introducing students to such legal concepts as Civil Procedure, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, and International Law, which were probably not even in business law texts at the time they took their undergraduate courses.

University professors are paid based on market demand. Since some university administrators, as well as some professors, believe that lawyers are a dime a dozen, salaries for business law professor positions are lower than for other business disciplines, yet competition for business law positions is stiff. So why opt to teach when there are other employment options available.

Perhaps the main reason is that professors have the opportunity to be their own bosses without the added pressures of having to collect unpaid accounts as well as the other pressures that come from having one's own practice; it is the best of all possible worlds. Also, they enjoy the interaction with their students. It keeps them young. In addition, professors have time to do the things that they really need to do when they need to do them.

Moreover, they can avoid the crowds by taking care of business during the week that others have to take care of on the weekend. There are many who feel that professors lead a very hectic life and that all the time they are grading papers, grading projects, putting exams together, preparing for class, and serving on committees, but those times are the exception, not the rule.
United States

The job consistently has a beginning and an end. They can breathe a sigh of relief at the end of the semester and then take off for a few weeks of much needed rest and relaxation, unless they are trying to finish a book! At the end of the school year, they can choose to teach or to take the summer off, the choice is theirs.

It can be quite challenging to motivate the students and to think up ingenious ways to teach the material so that most students will grasp the concepts. Each semester, however, provides a new beginning. Professors continue to use the teaching methods that work and discard those that don't. Through trial and error and constant experimentation, they eventually settle on something that works. They get a lot of feedback on what works when our students judge our performance each semester through student evaluations. They have to admit that some of the evaluations provide some rather interesting and enlightening reading.

After teaching the same course for several semesters, they can spend more time on scholarly research or other competing matters as our comfort level with the material increases. Also, most teachers eventually become tenured, which means that they can be terminated only for cause. There is no other profession that enjoys such job security. There are some who believe that tenure leads to laziness and incompetence, that contracts should be renewed or not renewed on a yearly basis, or that term contracts should be given. Some institutions are adopting this attitude. It will be interesting to see what the future holds with respect to the tenure issue.

Teaching at a law school presents many of the same challenges and holds many of the same opportunities as teaching at colleges or universities. However, most exams at the law school level are given only once a semester (at the end) and are normally essay in nature. Therefore, in many instances, law professors have to make tougher judgment calls as to what a student's course grade will be since they have received less input over the semester. If there is any question, professors will normally give the student the benefit of the doubt and grant the higher of two grades.

Professors at law schools normally also spend more time in preparation for class than do their college or university counterparts. The teaching method frequently used at universities is the lecture method; at law schools it is the Socratic Method, which involves an interactive discussion between professor and students, with the professor asking the questions, the students providing the answers, then the professor questioning the answers.

Teaching at a law school can be a very challenging experience. New professors will not get much of a choice as to which classes they would like to teach, which can prove difficult. Students are generally extremely bright, very motivated, and highly enthusiastic. They are also highly competitive and extremely conscious about grades. However, interest in the law begins to vary among students as they progress through law school.

Competition for law school teaching positions is very intense. As a prerequisite, you should have served on law review, preferably as an editor, finished in the top 5 to 10 percent of your graduating law class, preferably from a prestigious law school, and have served a federal judicial clerkship. If you don't graduate at the top of your class, however, you really can't improve your chances by taking graduate law courses. Law schools see through this ploy and will judge you on the basis of your law school record. Some of the few ways to improve your chances include publications and/or an advanced degree in another area. It is not recommended that you attend law school with the sole intent of teaching at a law school upon graduation. Otherwise, you may be disappointed.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
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