Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, papers, and oral presentations.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
• Assign cases for students to hear and try.
• Act as advisers to student organizations.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Post-Doctoral Training

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Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Law Teachers, Postsecondary.

A Day in the Life

A law professor's day varies significantly depending on the academic calendar, but a typical teaching day begins with reviewing notes and preparing for classes that may use the Socratic method, case analysis, or seminar-style discussion. Class sessions are intellectually intensive, often running 50 to 90 minutes, during which professors guide students through complex legal reasoning, challenge assumptions, and facilitate rigorous debate. Between classes, professors hold office hours to meet with students seeking clarification on course material, career guidance, or research supervision. A substantial portion of each day is dedicated to scholarly research and writing, as law professors are expected to publish articles in law reviews and peer-reviewed journals that advance legal scholarship. Committee work occupies additional time, with professors serving on admissions, curriculum, hiring, and governance committees. Many law professors also maintain connections to legal practice through consulting work, amicus briefs, media commentary, or pro bono legal assistance. Grading exams and seminar papers consumes significant time at the end of each semester.

Work Environment

Law professors work primarily on law school campuses in office and classroom settings that are typically well-appointed and equipped with modern technology. The academic environment values intellectual autonomy, with professors having significant control over their research agendas, teaching methods, and daily schedules. The work culture is collegial but intellectually competitive, with faculty engaging in rigorous debate over legal theory, pedagogy, and institutional governance. Teaching loads generally consist of two to four courses per academic year, allowing substantial time for research and writing. Sabbatical leaves, typically offered every seven years, provide extended periods for focused scholarly production. The academic calendar provides summers relatively free from teaching obligations, though most professors use this time productively for research, writing, and conference participation. Travel for conferences, workshops, and invited lectures at other institutions is a regular part of the professional calendar.

Career Path & Advancement

Becoming a law professor typically requires a Juris Doctor degree from a top-ranked law school, strong academic performance, and prestigious credentials such as law review editorship or judicial clerkships. Many aspiring law professors first gain practical experience through clerkships with federal judges, followed by positions at elite law firms or government agencies. Some candidates pursue additional graduate degrees such as a Ph.D., S.J.D., or LL.M. to strengthen their academic credentials and demonstrate scholarly depth. The hiring process involves submitting applications through the Association of American Law Schools Faculty Appointments Register and participating in a competitive interview process. Entry-level faculty typically begin as assistant professors on tenure-track appointments, dedicating their early years to establishing a research agenda and publishing record. After approximately six years, successful candidates earn tenure and promotion to associate professor, with full professor status following continued scholarly contributions. Some professors eventually become named chair holders, deans, or university administrators.

Specializations

Law professors develop deep expertise in specific legal fields that define their teaching and scholarship. Constitutional law scholars examine governmental structure, individual rights, and the evolving interpretation of constitutional provisions. Corporate and securities law professors focus on business entity governance, capital markets regulation, and transactional practice. Criminal law and procedure specialists address substantive criminal doctrine, policing practices, and the administration of criminal justice. Intellectual property scholars cover patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law in an increasingly digital economy. International law professors examine treaties, cross-border disputes, human rights, and global governance frameworks. Environmental law specialists address regulatory frameworks governing pollution, natural resources, and climate change mitigation. Clinical law professors take a distinct approach, supervising students who represent real clients in law school clinics, bridging academic theory and practical lawyering.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

Legal education is undergoing substantial transformation as law schools respond to evolving market demands and student expectations. Experiential learning requirements have expanded, with the ABA mandating clinical and practical training that complements traditional doctrinal instruction. Online and hybrid course delivery, accelerated by the pandemic, is being selectively retained for certain courses and programs. Law school enrollment has stabilized after years of decline, though the profession continues to debate the optimal number of law schools and graduates. Interdisciplinary scholarship combining law with economics, data science, psychology, and technology studies is gaining prominence. The integration of artificial intelligence and legal technology into the curriculum is becoming essential as these tools transform legal practice. Faculty diversity initiatives are expanding the range of perspectives and backgrounds represented in law school teaching. Bar passage rates and employment outcomes face increasing scrutiny from regulators, students, and the public, placing pressure on law schools to demonstrate their value proposition.