Visiting Faculty Position and Director of the General Civil Practice Clinic - 100010
- Faculty, visiting
Title: Visiting Faculty Position and Director of the General Civil Practice Clinic - 100010
Position Number: 100010
Unit/Department: Drake Law School
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
Drake Law School has a strong tradition of community engagement and practical legal education. Founded in 1971, the Drake Legal Clinic is a cornerstone of our mission to prepare students to become ethical, skilled advocates. The General Civil Practice Clinic provides essential legal services to individuals who cannot otherwise afford representation. Students gain hands-on experience through all stages of client representation, including intake, legal research, drafting, negotiation, and court appearances under faculty supervision.
Founded in 1865, Drake University Law School is one of the 25 oldest law schools in the country and is ranked No. 84 among Best Law Schools by U.S. News & World Report. Located in Iowa’s capital city, Drake offers students unmatched access to courts, government agencies, and legal employers.
Known for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, Drake is home to the nation’s only First-Year Trial Practicum and a top-ranked Legal Clinic, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. Students gain real-world experience representing clients in criminal, civil, immigration, and entrepreneurial matters.
Drake also houses nationally recognized centers, including the Agricultural Law Center, Constitutional Law Center, and Legislative Practice Center—that offer unique opportunities for hands-on legal training and policy engagement.
Des Moines, Iowa, the home of Drake University, is a vibrant capital city known for its welcoming community, thriving arts and culture, and affordable cost of living.
Job Summary:
Drake Law School invites applications for a Visiting Faculty position (Assistant, Associate, or Full – rank commensurate with experience) to direct and teach its General Civil Practice Clinic. The position is a two-year visiting position beginning on July 1, 2026, with the possibility of an additional one-year appointment thereafter.
We are seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to experiential legal education, public service, and equitable access to justice. The Visiting Professor will supervise law students in the direct representation of clients across a range of civil matters, manage clinic operations and case selection, and lead a companion seminar focused on lawyering skills, ethical practice, professional identity formation, and critical reflection. Areas of practice may include housing, family law, guardianship, consumer protection, employment, or other legal issues affecting low-income Iowans.
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in Iowa or eligible for admission. Preference will be given to individuals with prior teaching experience, or substantial practice experience in civil legal services, or similar public interest work. We welcome applications from current law faculty, experienced practitioners, and other highly qualified candidates.
Job Duties:
The Visiting Professor will supervise law students in the direct representation of clients across a range of civil matters, manage clinic operations and case selection, and lead a companion seminar focused on lawyering skills, ethical practice, professional identity formation, and critical reflection. Areas of practice may include housing, family law, guardianship, consumer protection, employment, or other legal issues affecting low-income Iowans.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All candidates must complete the online application and attach: a cover letter, CV/Resume, and the contact details for three references.
Questions about this position can be directed to the visitor hiring committee chair Professor Nickole Miller (nickole.miller@drake.edu).
Questions about the application process, working at Drake, spouse/partner support, reasonable accommodations, benefits, or additional information about Drake or Des Moines, Iowa may be directed to Drake Human Resources at jobs@drake.edu.
All job offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, satisfactory reference checks, and proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Review of Applications Begins:
Review of candidates will begin September 15, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.
Salary and Benefits:
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition BenefitsFor faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Drake:
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our Core Values. Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here.
We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application system.
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
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