Clinical Assistant Professor, Law - Fall 2026

Description

The University of Tennessee College of Law is accepting applications for our new Clinical Teaching Fellowship to begin on August 1, 2026 as a  Clinical Assistant Professor.  This fellowship is funded for 2 years with the potential option of a third year. The position will prepare talented lawyers and aspiring clinicians with more than 2 years of practice experience to become full-time clinical faculty at U.S. law schools. The  Clinical Assistant Professor will work alongside and learn from current full-time clinical faculty who teach in the College of Law’s Legal Clinic. The Clinical Assistant Professor will be immersed in all aspects of clinical teaching, from learning clinical pedagogy to supervising law students on their casework. The UT Law Clinical Assistant Professor will also develop a research agenda and begin working on a scholarly article in preparation for entering the law school teaching market.

We seek a Clinical Assistant Professor to work with one of the following Clinics:

 

(1)   The Advocacy Clinic, which provides direct legal services to clients in a range of litigation including civil, juvenile, and criminal cases. A more detailed description can be viewed at https://law.utk.edu/clinics/.

 

(2)   The Transactional Law Clinic, which provides direct legal services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, community-based associations, entrepreneurs, and artists. A more detailed description can be viewed at https://law.utk.edu/clinics/.

Key Responsibilities

The UT Law Clinical Assistant Professor will directly supervise J.D. students enrolled in either the Advocacy Clinic or Transactional Law Clinic.  Initially, the fellow will work with a clinical faculty member to co-supervise second- and third-year law students, ensuring the students provide high-quality client representation and are prepared for graduation and practice. Later in the fellowship, the fellow will supervise students on their own.  The fellow will also work with full-time faculty in teaching the clinic’s seminar by preparing class instruction and leading exercises, discussions, and clinical rounds related to the students’ casework. The fellow will also assist with casework during the semester and provide summer case coverage. Finally, the fellow will work with faculty mentors to develop a research plan and to produce an article of publishable quality.

The anticipated salary for this position is $85,000.00.

 

Background on the UT Legal Clinic, UT Law, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee College of Law’s Legal Clinic recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary as the longest continuously operating legal clinic in the country. The UT Legal Clinic consistently ranks in the top ten of all U.S. public law schools. The clinic operates like a public interest law firm with seven distinct clinical course offerings. Students are immersed in all facets of casework and supervised by clinical faculty who guide, mentor, and challenge students. The Clinical Assistant Professor will be an integral part of our program.

The University of Tennessee College of Law, founded in 1890, is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. The mission of UT Law is to prepare students for the practice of law by integrating theory and practice across the curriculum, with an emphasis on clinical and skills training, innovative classroom teaching, legal writing, and professional values. The college endeavors to produce high-quality scholarship that examines, explains, critiques, and improves the law and the legal system. UT Law strives to serve the university, the campus, the profession, and the public by developing and sharing its talents and expertise.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), is an R1, land-grant university located in Knoxville, Tennessee. UTK has recently developed a new strategic vision that imagines “a world enriched by our ideas, improved through action, and inspired by the Volunteer Spirit of service and leadership.” The Clinical Assistant Professor would have an opportunity to connect with scholars throughout the University.

 

The City of Knoxville is also a highly appealing destination, with a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, active neighborhoods, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications