Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, MacArthur Justice Center

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center ("MJC") invite applications for a clinical assistant professorship with the MJC Civil Rights Litigation Clinic within the Bluhm Legal Clinic. MJC is a national public interest and independent law firm that has litigated countless high-impact civil rights and systemic reform cases in courts around the country. For more information about MJC, please see the organization's website: https://www.macarthurjustice.org/illinois/.

The MJC Civil Rights Litigation Clinic works to advance prisoner, immigrant, community, and racial justice in Illinois and throughout the country through civil litigation. We seek talented applicants who are passionate about transformational justice and criminal legal system reform, de-incarceration, and trial work, and who have a dedication to clinical teaching and mentorship.

Candidates will be considered for appointment to the faculty of the Bluhm Legal Clinic of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law at a level commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Role & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will litigate and instruct law students on a broad array of issues, including civil rights abuses arising from police misconduct, the rights of prisoners and detainees, the criminalization of poverty, indigent defense, prosecutorial misconduct, and the constitutional rights of the accused.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Litigating trial-level damages and injunctive actions on the MJC's Clinic's docket, including through case development and investigation; client and community relationship-building; discovery, including document review, written discovery and taking depositions; legal research and brief-writing; and trial and hearing preparation and presentation;
• Team teaching the Civil Rights Litigation Clinic seminar and weekly case meetings, and closely supervising and mentoring law students assigned to MJC's cases;
• Manage the comprehensive preparation and presentation of cases for hearings and trials. This involves having a meticulous approach to case analysis, strategic development, witness preparation, courtroom presentations, and the skillful execution of legal strategies to effectively advocate for clients before judicial bodies. It also encompasses crafting compelling legal arguments, presenting evidence, and engaging with all relevant parties to ensure a robust and persuasive case presentation;
• Facilitate efforts aimed at achieving settlements when deemed suitable. This involves actively participating in negotiations and leveraging expertise to assist in the resolution of disputes and fostering an environment conducive to mutually agreeable outcome;.
• Participating in community meetings, and building and sustaining relationships with community leaders, activists, local organizations, MJC attorneys in other offices, and co-counsel;
• Actively engage in external communications related to one or more critical organizational priorities. Work collaboratively with the Communications team, specifically in relation to casework, to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach to communication strategies;
• Participating in Bluhm Legal Clinic and Law School meetings, events and committee work;
• Organizing and participating in conferences and meetings addressing key litigation issues and practice areas; and
• Traveling as required for court appearances, depositions, and meetings with clients.

Experience and Qualifications:

• J.D. degree required, and at least seven years of litigation experience preferred;
• Strong familiarity with concepts of criminal procedure, constitutional law, and 42 U.S.C. * 1983 litigation;
• Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills;
• Comfortable representing people in detention and in the criminal legal system;
• Strong leader with the ability to inspire and help others reach their potential.
• Demonstrated skills in litigating independently, jointly and under pressure.
• Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, and strategic thinking.
• Self-motivated, diligent, and able to juggle multiple cases while meeting strict deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and lead on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
• Proficiency in conducting discovery, including document review, written discovery, and depositions
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and lead on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
• Desire to engage in community lawyering, and a willingness to use the law creatively and strategically to seek justice for clients;
• Passion for teaching and enthusiasm for collaborating in departmental and law school committee work;
• Admission to the Illinois Bar, or willingness to obtain admission within one year of hiring.

LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois

COMPENSATION: The expected base pay range for this position is $122,000 - $158,000. This base pay range is for a twelve-month academic appointment and is subject to negotiation.

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a list of three professional references, and a recent legal writing sample through Northwestern's online application system: Apply for Job.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible and highly encouraged to apply by March 31, 2025.

All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients and colleagues who come from different backgrounds and experiences.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link above and below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.