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Lecturer - J.D. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing Program - School of Law

Job #JPF05371
  • Law / School of Law / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Lecturer
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for these positions: See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: Salary Scale. The starting full-time salary for this position is salary point 20, currently $124,160.
Percent time: Generally full-time; 100%
Anticipated start: Fall 2026 or later
Review timeline: Completed applications will be reviewed should openings arise. Appointments for the upcoming fall semester are usually reviewed between February and June and July and October for the spring semester.
Position duration: Positions may be for one semester or for the full academic year, with the possibility of renewal. The possibility of reappointment is based on need and subject to the terms of the bargaining agreement

Application Window

Open date: May 21, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Jun 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, May 20, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Berkeley Law is generating an applicant pool of qualified instructors should openings arise.

Berkeley Law is one of the premier law schools in the United States. Our programs are demanding, engaging, hands-on, and selective. As with all our faculty, we expect our lecturers to demonstrate a strong commitment to academic rigor and intellectual diversity.

Berkeley Law strives to educate responsible, effective, and forward-thinking advocates who serve the public through legal practice, public policy, academic scholarship, and related fields. In doing so, the school addresses some of society’s most pressing challenges by leveraging its strengths in teaching and research to improve law, policy, and public institutions. At the heart of Berkeley Law’s public mission is a commitment to access, affordability, and empowering students from all backgrounds to pursue impactful careers across a wide range of professional paths.

Lecturers in the J.D. Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Program (LRAW Program) are appointed for the academic year to teach two courses:

  • Legal Research and Writing (Fall) is a three-unit course that teaches legal research and analysis, predictive writing, and basic citation skills. Students draft two office memos and other written analysis during LRW
  • Written and Oral Advocacy (Spring) is a two-unit course that builds on skills taught in LRW and that teaches persuasive writing and oral argument. Students draft a trial court brief (typically, a motion for summary judgment) and present an oral argument in WOA.

The J.D. Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Program uses a coordinated curriculum, with shared assignments, syllabi, PowerPoint slides, and other teaching materials. Lecturers in the program typically teach two sections of approximately 16 first-year law students each semester in-person on the UC Berkeley campus (Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Lecturers provide feedback about students’ draft and final written work, oral arguments, and other assignments. In addition, lecturers meet with each student multiple times each semester for mandatory conferences.

Lecturers’ job duties include preparing for and teaching classes, conducting student conferences, holding office hours, evaluating written work and oral argument, and assigning grades on a standardized curve. In addition, lecturers work collaboratively to develop and improve assignments and teaching materials.

UC Lecturers are academic appointees in an organized bargaining unit and are exclusively represented by the American Federation of Teachers - Unit 18.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

School: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/

Program: https://law.berkeley.edu/php-programs/courses/courseSearch.php

Public Mission: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/public-mission/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • J.D. or equivalent international degree
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in either legal practice, judicial clerkship, or law school teaching, in the United States.
  • Availability to teach in-person during required law school class times.
Preferred qualifications
  • Legal practice experience in the United States.
  • Effective verbal/written communication and presentation skills (English), including the ability to clearly convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
  • Potential for or demonstrated ability for excellent teaching in legal research and writing.
  • Ability to support the success of all students through an inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter - Please discuss your competencies and experiences relevant to successful instruction for teaching legal research and writing, including your prior law teaching experiences, teaching approach, and future teaching interests. This can include, for example, specific efforts, accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. We also welcome information about other aspects of your professional experience as it is specifically relevant to teaching legal research and writing at Berkeley Law. Please limit your response to 300 words.

  • Writing Sample - A legal memorandum, brief, or client communication of no more than 10 pages. The purpose of the sample is to illustrate the writer’s capacity to write clearly, concisely, and effectively.

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05371

Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Job location

Berkeley, CA