Clinical Professor of Law & Associate Director of Pro Bono ProgramsRoger Williams University
Title: Clinical Professor of Law & Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs
Location: Bristol, RI
Category: Faculty
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Posted On: Fri Apr 10 2026
Job Description:
The Clinical Professor of Law & Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs ("Associate Director") is responsible for teaching law students about their professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal service and the broader obligation of attorneys to increase access to justice and the quality of justice. The Associate Director's teaching is primarily done through innovative pro bono programming and partnering with doctrinal faculty to integrate pro bono and experiential learning opportunities into traditional doctrinal classes. The Associate Director is an essential member of the law school's experiential education team and participates with all clinical faculty in understanding and developing innovative clinical pedagogy. In addition to teaching, the Associate Director administers the School of Law's 50-hour Pro Bono Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement ("PBELR").
We are seeking a candidate who is available to begin as soon as possible to support the immediate needs of the role.
Description of the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono and Experiential Learning ("Center")
The Center is responsible for the following programs at the law school: the Public Interest Externship Program, the PBELR, the PBC, and all in-house public service project offerings. In addition, the Center is responsible for creating a culture of public interest at the law school through educational and experiential programs, counseling students about public interest careers, and serving as the advisor to student public interest groups. The Center is also responsible for assisting in assuring high quality experiential learning opportunities for our students and consistency within the experiential programming.
Description of Pro Bono Collaborative ("PBC") Programs
PBC Programs are those experiential learning opportunities for law students that involve the provision of legal assistance to underrepresented people under the supervision of Center attorneys or of licensed attorneys outside the School of Law.
PBC projects are administered by the Center. The projects are designed to increase legal representation and advocacy on behalf of underrepresented individuals and communities by partnering private attorneys, law students, and community-based organizations to provide pro bono legal assistance on a discrete project basis.
Through our PBC projects, students gain actual lawyering skills, including interviewing, counseling, client communication, navigating ethics and professional responsibility issues, researching, planning, and civil practice.
Essential Functions/Characteristics
Work with the Director of Pro Bono and Community Partnerships ("Director") to ensure the success of all pro bono programming. Administer the 50-hour PBELR.
Pro Bono Collaborative Project Development and Management
In collaboration with the Director, administer, facilitate and oversee all aspects of the Pro Bono Collaborative;
Attend and facilitate meetings and communication among all projects' partners;
Work with the Director to recruit law students for participation in the projects;
Identify or develop training programs for each participating law firm and attorneys and their team of volunteer law students; and
In collaboration with the Director, provide a pro bono orientation program for the first year law students in each fall.
Pro Bono Experiential Learning Requirement (PBELR)
Administer the 50-hour PBELR;
Supervise the Pro Bono & Experiential Education Coordinator in administering the PBELR (shared);
Certify all students through Etrieve, including providing feedback on law students' written evaluations;
General Curricular Experiential Learning Counseling
Counsel law students on curricular experiential learning options (pro bono, clinics, and externships) and provide assistance in planning for these experiences during law school.
Represent the law school at regional and national clinical conferences and access to justice conferences, as well as serving on committees for the ABA and AALS.
Job Requirements:
Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association approved law school;
Licensed to practice in any jurisdiction with a preference for those admitted in Rhode Island;
Two to five years post-graduate legal experience;
Experience working with community-based organizations; and a demonstrated commitment to public service with experience in an educational setting preferred; and
Excellent references.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior clinical and/or externship teaching experience.
At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
Additional Information:
Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.
RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address: jstanley@rwu.edu
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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