Assistant Director, Law Career Services

Chapman-University; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University Fowler School of Law is seeking a dedicated and student-centered professional to serve as our next Assistant Director of Law Career Services. This key role offers the opportunity to guide law students and alumni through every stage of their career journey while helping strengthen employment outcomes and employer partnerships throughout Southern California’s legal community.

As an integral member of the Career Services Office ( CSO ), the Assistant Director will collaborate

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Minimum of two years of relevant legal or professional experience.
• Strong advising, coaching, and interpersonal skills with diverse groups.
• Familiarity with the legal employment market in Southern California.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and handle confidential information.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and travel locally.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized career coaching to law students and alumni.
• Review resumes and applications, giving constructive feedback.
• Conduct mock interviews and advise on job search strategies.
• Plan career workshops and collaborate with student organizations.
• Develop employer relationships and expand employment opportunities.
• Coordinate recruiting activities and manage communications and data.
• Analyze employment data and contribute to ABA/NALP reporting.

Skills

Career advising

Student engagement

Employer outreach

Relationship management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Independent work

FERPA compliance

MS Office proficiency

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Assistant Director, Law Career Services

Position Type

Position Type Regular

Job Number

Job Number SA80924

Full or Part Time

Full or Part Time full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range

Anticipated Pay Range $75,000-$90,000

Pay Range Information

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

Chapman University Fowler School of Law is seeking a dedicated and student-centered professional to serve as our next Assistant Director of Law Career Services. This key role offers the opportunity to guide law students and alumni through every stage of their career journey while helping strengthen employment outcomes and employer partnerships throughout Southern California’s legal community.

As an integral member of the Career Services Office ( CSO ), the Assistant Director will collaborate closely with the Assistant Dean for Career Services to provide individualized career advising, develop impactful programming, cultivate employer relationships, and support recruiting initiatives. The ideal candidate is passionate about mentoring aspiring legal professionals, knowledgeable about the legal employment market, and eager to make a meaningful impact on student success.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Career Advising and Student Engagement

• Provide individualized career coaching to law students and alumni throughout their career exploration, job search, and professional development.
• Review resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, and provide constructive feedback to strengthen candidates’ competitiveness.
• Conduct mock interviews, advise on job search strategies, and help students prepare for interviews, evaluate opportunities, and plan next steps.
• Monitor student engagement and provide individualized outreach to students who may benefit from additional career support.

Law Student Professional Development

• Plan, develop, and deliver career workshops and professional development programs to prepare students for legal employment.
• Collaborate with student organizations to promote career services and support career-related programming.

Employer Outreach and Relationship Management

• Research and identify prospective employers in strategic practice areas and industries to expand employment opportunities for students and alumni.
• Build and strengthen relationships with law firms, corporations, government agencies, the judiciary, public interest organizations, and other employers throughout Southern California.
• Support efforts to improve full-time, long-term employment outcomes for graduates in bar admission-required and J.D. advantage positions through employer outreach and relationship development.

Recruiting Programs and Career Services Operations

• Coordinate recruiting activities in collaboration with the Career Services Office team, including employer and student communications, interview scheduling, and database management.
• Assist with employment data collection, analysis, and reporting, including surveys and reports submitted to the American Bar Association ( ABA ), U.S. News, and the National Association for Law Placement ( NALP ).
• Participate in professional development opportunities to remain current on legal recruiting practices, career advising strategies, and employment trends.
• Collaborate with colleagues to advance office priorities and improve career services and employment outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, government agency, or other legal or professional setting relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Strong advising, coaching, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and provide candid, constructive feedback.
• Familiarity with the legal employment market, preferably in Southern California, and the ability to develop employer relationships that lead to career opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and groups at all levels.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and discretion, maintain confidentiality, and comply with FERPA and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, preferably Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn new enterprise systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, travel local for employer outreach within the Southern California legal community, and travel more extensively on occasion as needed.

Desired Qualifications

Special Instructions to Applicants

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening, and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Minimum Number of References

Minimum Number of References 3

Maximum Number of References

Maximum Number of References 5

Pre-screening Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Have you earned a JD from an ABA-accredited law school?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How many years experience do you have working in a judicial clerkship or as a licensed attorney at a law firm or other legal work setting.
  • 5+
  • 3 - 5
  • 1 - 3
  • None

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2

MAIN CAMPUS
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
[phone]
RINKER HEALTH SCIENCE CAMPUS
9401 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618
© 2019 CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening, and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.