Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing

Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for an Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing faculty position.

This full-time, nontenure-track position is a nine-month appointment that begins in August 2026.

This position will have primary responsibilities in Cumberland’s Legal Research and Writing (LRW) program, which includes foundational courses on legal writing, research, and analysis that are required for all J.D. students.

While this position encompasses a traditional teaching role in the LRW program, its focus is on courses that support and facilitate the goals of our Academic Success Program, for example, through the development and teaching of classes aimed at supporting students in need of rehabilitative coursework to improve writing skills.

A willingness to offer innovative course plans for struggling students and a passion for helping students whose academic performance is
at risk is imperative. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the successful candidate will be expected to carry out service obligations to the Law School and the university, including committee assignments, as directed.

Required qualifications include a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, and at least two years of experience practicing law or teaching legal writing to lawyers or law students. Preference will be given to candidates whose backgrounds reflect substantial practice and development of applied legal research and writing skills.

Candidates must have outstanding communication, organizational, and analytical skills; a commitment to academic excellence; and the ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, colleagues, and students.

Cumberland School of Law prides itself on its commitment to teaching and to ensuring not only the success of its students upon graduation but their recognition of the ethical obligations that flow from being an officer of the court and a servant of the community. The ideal candidate will thus demonstrate the ability and motivation to develop meaningful mentoring relationships with students both in and out of class.

About

Samford University (www.samford.edu) is a leading nationally ranked Christian University. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th oldest institution in the U.S. and the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Homewood, with 425 full-time faculty and more than 6,100 students representing 45 states and 16 countries, Samford is ranked #2 in the nation for student character development and #8 in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to students as listed in The Wall Street Journal (2025). The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package. Samford University and the Cumberland School of Law embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community