Director of the Lewis and Clark Advocacy Center and Professor of Practice

Title: Director of the Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center and Professor of Practice

Location: Av. Universidad, Ste. 701, San Juan, PR

time type

Full time

job requisition id

R-004953

Job Description:

Attention Current Lewis & Clark College Employees:  In order to apply for posted positions, please apply internally in Workday in the Jobs Hub.

Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE 

The Director of the Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center and Professor of Practice within the Law School reports directly to the Dean of the Law School. This role is primarily responsible for developing and leading the Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center, teaching advocacy-related courses, coordinating advocacy curriculum and moot court programming, supervising adjunct faculty, supporting development of advocacy certificates and experiential learning opportunities, and assisting with fundraising and external engagement efforts. The ideal candidate will possess extensive litigation and advocacy experience, strong connections within the legal community, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a demonstrated commitment to legal education and student mentorship. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at curriculum development, program leadership, relationship building, instructional effectiveness, project coordination, and fostering an engaging and practice-oriented learning environment for law students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Teaching and Student Learning

• Teach courses in evidence, trial advocacy, pretrial advocacy, appellate advocacy, or related advocacy disciplines within the law school curriculum.
• Develop experiential and practice-oriented learning opportunities that strengthen student advocacy skills across multiple legal settings.
• Mentor and support law students in developing oral advocacy, litigation, negotiation, and dispute resolution competencies.

Advocacy Program Development and Administration

• Develop, implement, and oversee curriculum in pretrial, trial, appellate advocacy, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and related areas of practice.
• Create and manage the Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center, including program planning, operational coordination, and long-term program development.
• Coordinate development and oversight of advocacy-related certificates and specialized academic programming in partnership with faculty leadership.

Moot Court and Experiential Programming

• Coordinate advocacy moot court programs, competitions, and related experiential learning activities.
• Manage scheduling, logistics, communications, and program administration related to advocacy events and competitions.
• Foster relationships with legal professionals, judges, and community partners to support advocacy programming and student engagement.

Faculty Leadership and Collaboration

• Recruit, supervise, support, and coordinate adjunct faculty participating in advocacy instruction and programming.
• Collaborate with full-time faculty to align advocacy programming with institutional and curricular goals.
• Provide leadership and guidance related to advocacy education, instructional quality, and program effectiveness.

External Relations and Advancement

• Assist with fundraising, donor engagement, and external outreach efforts supporting the Advocacy Center.
• Build relationships within the Portland legal community, including law firms, courts, bar associations, and advocacy organizations.
• Represent the Advocacy Center and law school in professional, academic, and community settings.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Superior knowledge of litigation strategy, courtroom advocacy, rules of evidence, and trial procedure
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills in instructional, professional, and courtroom-related environments
• Superior written communication skills, including legal analysis, persuasive writing, and academic feedback
• Extremely effective relationship-building and collaboration skills with students, faculty, adjunct instructors, judges, attorneys, and community partners
• Proficient leadership and team coordination skills within academic, legal, or professional environments
• Excellent organizational and project management skills while coordinating multiple priorities, deadlines, and program initiatives
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom
• Superior interpersonal judgment, professionalism, and discretion in sensitive or high-visibility situations
• Excellent commitment to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and supportive learning and workplace environment for individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives
• Extremely effective mentoring, coaching, and student support skills within experiential and skills-based educational settings
• Proficient strategic thinking and problem-solving skills within complex academic and legal environments
• Superior initiative, adaptability, and independent decision-making in developing new programs and responding to evolving institutional needs

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Active membership in the Oregon State Bar at time of hire or eligibility to obtain membership within one year of hire
• Five years of professional litigation experience in civil, criminal, or appellate practice environments
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy, litigation strategy, courtroom presentation, negotiation, mediation, or dispute resolution
• Experience communicating effectively with legal professionals, students, and community partners
• Experience coordinating projects, programs, or collaborative initiatives in legal or professional settings
• Demonstrated organizational, leadership, and relationship-management skills

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Ten years of professional litigation experience across multiple areas of legal advocacy
• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, or training in legal education, advocacy, or professional development environments
• Leadership experience within legal organizations, bar associations, academic institutions, or professional associations
• Experience developing curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, or certificate programs
• Experience coordinating advocacy competitions, moot court programs, or experiential legal education initiatives
• Experience working in higher education settings
• Preferred Tech: Familiarity with learning management systems, virtual instruction platforms, legal research databases, and Microsoft Office Suite tools used in academic and legal environments

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
• Schedule: Generally Monday through Friday, 37.5 hours per week, with additional evening or weekend hours as needed to support classes, moot court competitions, student events, or program activities
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Occasional local, regional, or national travel may be required for advocacy competitions, conferences, professional engagement, fundraising, or outreach activities
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person, with limited hybrid flexibility based on departmental needs and college policy

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office, classroom, and academic event environment
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, standing while teaching or presenting, and working on a computer
• Communicate effectively in person, by phone, by email, and through virtual meeting platforms with students, faculty, legal professionals, and community partners
• Move between classrooms, offices, courtrooms, meeting spaces, and event locations across campus and at external sites
• Manage materials, documents, presentation equipment, and event supplies related to advocacy programming and instruction
• Occasional travel to courts, conferences, competitions, or professional events
• Lift and transport materials weighing up to 15 pounds occasionally
• Maintain sustained concentration, attention to detail, and effective interpersonal engagement in fast-paced academic and professional environments

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission.  We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws.  The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies.  

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. 

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.