The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University invites applications for a full- time faculty position to co-teach in its Criminal Defense Clinic beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year.
The successful candidate will join a robust clinical program at a law school long dedicated to experiential learning and public service. The Criminal Defense Clinic was founded in 1978, Cardozo’s second year of existence, by Barry Scheck, who now co-directs the Innocence Project.
Applicants must be skilled, creative and experienced lawyers and/or clinical teachers with an interest and ability to supervise students in both individual litigation and law reform projects and would be expected to bring creative ideas for nurturing and growing the Clinic’s impact- litigation and public policy docket. The ideal candidate would have prior experience working with poor and low-income people charged with crimes and be committed to a comprehensive model of representation and teaching that accounts for the intersection of current policing practices, prosecution policies, and legal doctrine.
The Clinic has historically been affiliated through an “of Counsel” relationship with the Criminal Defense Practice of the Legal Aid Society. The Clinic’s mission is to serve as the primary lawyer for people charged with non-felony crimes in Manhattan Criminal Court from arraignment to disposition; to provide support to senior attorneys with the Legal Aid Society on their felony cases in Supreme Court; and to embrace the role of defender in a multi-faceted and multi- dimensional way.
In addition to a JD degree or equivalent, the ideal candidate would have at least seven years of relevant experience, an outstanding record of professional achievement, and a commitment to clinical teaching. Experience in clinical education is preferred. Applicants need not be admitted to the New York bar at time of application but, if hired, will be expected to obtain admission by the end of their first year.
This position is open both to lateral candidates and to entry-level candidates. A lateral candidate will be appointed at a rank commensurate with experience. An entry-level candidate will be appointed on a three-year contract and would qualify to be considered for the functional equivalent of tenure after six years. Clinical faculty with a demonstrated interested in pursuing a robust scholarly agenda may alternatively seek a tenure-track appointment at the time of initial hire or re-appointment.
The successful candidate is expected to take an active part in faculty governance and the intellectual life of the law school.
Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references to Chair of the Clinical Appointments Committee Professor Stew Sterk, [email protected].