DePaul Law invites applications for a term faculty position expected to begin July 1, 2026, to join its legal writing faculty beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. DePaul seeks applicants interested in teaching in our first-year legal writing and second-year legal writing courses. This is a full-time, non-tenure track position. Renewal of the appointment may include long-term contracts of up to five years.

DePaul’s Legal Writing Program includes four semesters of legal writing, including three semesters of legal writing and one semester of advanced writing in law school. Legal writing faculty are responsible for teaching four courses per academic year. Faculty teaching in the 1L program teach approximately sixteen to twenty students per section and faculty teaching in the 2L program are responsible for teaching approximately thirty students per section. In addition to weekly classes, professors evaluate written assignments and meet with students on a regular basis. Legal writing faculty are a vital part of the DePaul Law community; they serve on law school committees and in leadership positions as well as participate in other faculty service activities and advise students as assigned. Legal writing faculty are not required to engage in scholarship, but those who do receive support.

The first-year fall legal writing course is designed to develop the first-year student's professional writing skills by involving students in a structured analysis of effective and ineffective legal writing, as well as applying the principles and methods of legal analysis to specific writing tasks. Lectures on research tools and their uses are also provided, and students learn and practice legal citation form. The first-year spring course builds on the analysis, research, and communication skills acquired in the fall. Lectures on legal research techniques and strategies are also provided. The third legal writing course builds on the analysis, research, and communication skills established in the first year and focuses on appellate brief writing and oral advocacy skills.

This is an open rank search, meaning that we may hire an Instructor, Professional Lecturer, or Senior Professional Lecturer depending on experience and qualifications. If qualified and interested, the person recruited to the position may also be considered for appointment as Assistant Director or Co-Director of the writing program.

At DePaul Law, we are dedicated to producing purpose-driven lawyers who serve the public with integrity and compassion. Our graduates embrace a tradition of service to others and work tirelessly to enhance access to the legal system for the most vulnerable members of our society. To learn more about us, please visit https://law.depaul.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree;
• Two years of professional experience in the legal field;
• Excellent academic record;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;

Preferred qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in the legal field;
• Prior legal writing teaching experience.

Interested candidates should apply online. Required materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of three (3) contact references, and writing sample. Please direct any questions about the position to the Chair of the Appointments Committee, Max Helveston, at mhelvest@depaul.edu.

General Compensation/Benefits Statement
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

DePaul University offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefit. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

About DePaul University's Academic Calendar
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length.  The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).

Salary Information: The salary range for this 10-month position is $90,000 - $99,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer with a strong commitment to hiring for our mission and diversifying our faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion (except where religion is a bona fide occupational qualification for the job), national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by law.

DePaul University and Our Mission

As an innovative Catholic, Vincentian university anchored in the global city of Chicago, DePaul supports the integral human development of its students. The university does so through its commitment to outstanding teaching, academic excellence, real-world experience, and community engagement. DePaul prepares its graduates to be successful in their chosen fields and agents of transformation throughout their lives. 

Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul passionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. Through education, creative endeavors, and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges. Since its founding in 1898, DePaul University has remained dedicated to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities.

Comprised of ten colleges and schools, offering 130+ undergraduate majors and 170+ graduate programs, DePaul’s faculty challenges its students to analyze and solve real-world problems with rigor and innovation. 

As an urban faith-based institution with a diverse student body, DePaul is committed to growing and maintaining a faculty dedicated to advancing the Vincentian mission through research, teaching, and service.  DePaul upholds a fair and equitable recruitment, interview, and hiring process where supporting diverse populations and academic excellence are compatible goals. Our vibrant and diverse faculty is supported through academic and professional development resources.  Successful candidates thrive and are at home in an environment where diverse cultures and identities, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences are welcomed and supported.