Assistant Professor of Law, Criminal Defense Clinic

Position Summary

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law seeks applications from entry-level and lateral candidates for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Law to direct the Criminal Defense Clinic within its nationally recognized Student Law Office (SLO). The SLO provides second- and third-year law students the opportunity to refine their lawyering skills and professional identity while providing outstanding legal representation to clients in seven in-house clinics. We seek candidates with J.D. degrees (or their equivalents), outstanding academic records, relevant professional experience, a commitment to inclusive pedagogy, and the capacity to make future outstanding contributions in the realms of scholarship, teaching, and public engagement.  

College and University Summary

Founded in 1897, the Sturm College of Law is a national leader in experiential learning and interdisciplinary legal study. Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic and beautiful cities, the Sturm College of Law features a faculty of outstanding and nationally recognized scholar-teachers, an accomplished student body, a highly talented and dedicated staff, and roughly 17,000 alumni who have achieved careers of distinction in law, business, government, public interest, and other professional domains. A private Research 1 university dedicated to the public good, the University of Denver offers more than 300 academic programs and serves roughly 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Essential Functions

• Teaching: Faculty members at the Sturm College of Law are expected to engage in outstanding and innovative teaching, imparting relevant doctrine knowledge and professional skills, and cultivating an inclusive learning environment. Clinical tenure-track faculty members are expected to teach their clinical course, with a typical expectation of supervising eight students per faculty member.
• Research: Faculty members are expected to engage in research and the publication of scholarly works; to participate actively in faculty workshops, conferences, lectures, and other scholarly events; to read and comment upon faculty works-in-progress; and to publicize their scholarship to relevant internal and external audiences.
• Public Engagement: Faculty members are expected to participate actively and constructively on committees appointed by the Dean, to attend faculty meetings, and to participate in other events of significance to the institution, including appointments matters, orientation, commencement, panel presentations, high-profile public lectures, the installation of faculty members into named faculty positions, and other signature events. Faculty members are also expected to undertake public engagement that contributes to legal education, the profession, the broader community, and/or the public good. 

Faculty members in their pre-tenure years are eligible for a one-semester paid leave.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. degree (or its equivalent)
• Outstanding academic record
• Relevant professional experience in the area of criminal law
• A commitment to inclusive pedagogy
• The capacity to make future outstanding contributions in the realms of scholarship, teaching, and public engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• A track record of professional contributions in the realms of teaching, scholarship, and public engagement

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 20, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu