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Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law, VanSickle Family Law Clinic
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Position Number: 4907733
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Business - Business Law

Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law, VanSickle Family Law Clinic
Dedman School of Law

Location: Dallas, TX
Open Date: Nov 21, 2023

Description:
The SMU Dedman School of Law is seeking an Adjunct Clinical Professor for the VanSickle Family Law Clinic ("Family Law Clinic"), which provides pro bono legal services to low-income clients.

The Adjunct Clinical Professor will report to and collaborate with the Director of the VanSickle Family Law Clinic at SMU Dedman School of Law to support the management and activities of the clinic.

Essential Functions:

Supervise clinic law students in delivering direct legal services and community projects, including meeting weekly with students and providing feedback and guidance.

Assist in the Clinic's Pro Se Project at the George Allen courthouse, including but not limited to reviewing students' work and filtering questions as students learn on the spot.

Assist with teaching the classroom component of the clinic and facilitating rounds.

Work with the Director to develop the focus and implementation of the clinic's family defense practice.

Assist with representing clinic clients at hearings or in other aspects of the litigation when students are not enrolled.

The position is part-time and non-tenure track. The Adjunct Clinical Professor is expected to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week on clinic duties, including meetings with students, review of documents and research memos, attending pro se clinic at courthouse, etc.

About the Family Law Clinic:

The Family Law Clinic's dual mission is to provide experiential, real-client clinical experience, for law students and competent and ethical legal representation to low-income clients and community partners. Under the supervision and coaching of an experienced clinical faculty member, students represent and counsel clients in family law matters such as divorce, custody and parenting time, child support, paternity, modifications, court-appointed amicus or attorney ad-litem, and alternative dispute resolution.

Through client representation, the clinic seminar, team collaboration, and one-on-one instruction, law students perform fundamental lawyering skills necessary for competent representation and zealous advocacy. These skills include but are not limited to conducting interviews, advising clients on legal matters, problem-solving and decision-making, negotiating, fact development and analysis, strategic case planning, motion, and trial practice, drafting legal pleadings and ancillary documents, organization and management of legal casework, and self- reflection.

Students in the clinic also collaborate with judges, the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), and other community organizations to improve access to justice. Through the clinic's pro se "Self-Help Desk" at the George L. Allen Sr. courthouse, students provide brief services to self-represented family law litigants, such as help with completing pro se forms and answering routine procedural questions.

About the Position:

The Adjunct Clinical Professor will report to and collaborate with the Director of the VanSickle Family Law Clinic at SMU Dedman School of Law to support the management and activities of the clinic.

Qualifications:
Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

J.D. degree required. Candidates must be licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas, in good standing, and a member of the Texas Bar

At least three years of experience in Texas family law litigation

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with all levels of constituencies

High level of professional ethics

Preferred experience:

Experience in clinical law teaching or interest in clinical law teaching

A good track record of engagement with social justice lawyering

Experience in representing low-income litigants

Application Instructions:
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/137005

Interested candidates, please submit a cover letter and your resume by December 10, 2023. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.