Job Description

The University of Minnesota Law School seeks an Assistant Director of Academic and Bar Success who is service-oriented, connection-driven, and passionate about legal education. In this largely student-facing role, the Assistant Director will further develop and implement Minnesota Lawâ™s programming to support studentsâ™ academic development, to equip all JD graduates for success on the bar exam, and to assist candidates with the bar application process. 

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Academic and Bar Success, and works closely with the Director to develop and present programming for all JD students concerning academic success and bar readiness and to provide tailored assistance including advising, coaching, instruction, and referrals to resources; offer bar-related advising and support to individual students on matters such as character and fitness concerns or course selection.

This is a full-time, 100%, annually renewable, academic professional position with the majority of the work being in-person with some remote flexibility. 

Duties will include:

Tailored Academic and Bar Support for Individual Students (60%)

• Deliver advising, assessment, and coaching support to JD students, including those near or below thresholds for academic probation or academic watch, or who present risk factors correlated to lower bar passage rates.
• Develop and implement individualized Academic Success Plans for students working to improve academic performance and assist students to develop core study and time management skills, legal analysis, and exam-writing strategies through regular meetings which will include outline review, practice problem feedback, and exam review.
• Coordinate with the Office of Student Affairs concerning student support needs such as reasonable accommodations, counseling, and other outside referrals. 
• Provide strategic advising to individual JD students about bar application, including but not limited to: character and fitness concerns; professional considerations with respect to the location and timing of bar application; and advance planning for the financial and time commitments required for bar success.
• Develop and implement individualized Bar Success Plans to increase motivation, accountability, prioritization of bar study tasks while preparing for the bar exam. The Assistant Director will help graduates navigate their commercial bar courses and give feedback on bar essay writing and course progress in one-on-one meetings. 

Academic Success Programming (20%)

• Work closely with Director of Academic and Bar Success and Student Affairs to develop and present programming, both live and online, to provide academic success guidance and to support professional identity formation during Orientation and throughout the 1L year.
• Work closely with Director of Academic and Bar Success to develop and support the Law Schoolâ™s longstanding peer academic support program (known as âœStructured Study Groupâ).
• Develop strategies and programming to address potential barriers to academic success for all students, especially populations underrepresented in the legal profession, including first generation college and law school students and students with identified learning challenges and disabilities.

Bar-Related Programming (20%)

• Work closely with Director of Academic and Bar Success to develop and present programming to inform all JD students, at appropriate times in their law school career, about important bar-related issues such as bar exam elements, knowledge and skills necessary for exam success, character and fitness issues, and strategic considerations around bar application and preparation.
• Work closely with Director of Academic and Bar Success to develop and present workshops in the months before each bar exam administration date to supplement graduatesâ™ bar study with commercial providers.
• Build relationships with commercial bar vendors, manage commercial bar vendor presence within the law school, and stay abreast of academic and bar success product offerings. 
• Monitor state bar examination administration and admission policies including bar reform efforts, the NextGen Bar exam, MPRE requirements, and alternative pathways to licensure.
  

Essential / Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of relevant experience OR a master's degree plus at least three years relevant experience
• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school 
• Bar membership in a US jurisdiction (may be inactive)
• Interpersonal skills relevant to individualized academic counseling and coaching
• Knowledge of learning and teaching strategies for law students and other adult learners
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication with both individuals and large groups
• Experience working with, and demonstrated commitment to supporting, diverse populations
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong academic achievement, particularly in law school
• Two years of experience in law practice
• Advising, counseling, or tutoring experience
• Experience working with students with disabilities, including non-apparent disabilities

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Job Tags

Full time, Remote job, Trial period,

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