Director of Academic and Bar Success

Lewis & Clark College; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Lewis & Clark College's Law School seeks a Director of Academic and Bar Success to lead integrated academic support and bar passage programs from matriculation through licensure.

The role involves identifying at-risk students, providing counseling, overseeing bar preparation coursework, and managing post-graduation support with a data-informed approach across three years of study and beyond.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Three years of experience in academic support, bar preparation, legal practice, teaching, or closely related work.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee Academic Enhancement Program, including Summer Institute and 1L skills sessions.
• Supervise ~20 Student Success Fellows and oversee their development.
• Develop early intervention strategy to support at-risk students.
• Provide academic counseling and course-selection advising post-1L year.
• Coordinate with Lawyering faculty on exam review for students earning below a C.
• Oversee pre-bar and post-graduation bar support programs and resources.
• Track data on engagement, bar prep participation, and outcomes.
• Prepare annual compliance reporting and pursue external funding opportunities.

Skills

Counseling

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

FERPA

Bar prep platforms

Leadership

Teaching

Program management

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

Barbri

Themis

Job description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Director of Academic and Bar Success leads Lewis & Clark Law School's integrated academic support and bar passage program from matriculation through licensure. The Director identifies at-risk students, delivers academic counseling, oversees bar preparation coursework, and manages post-graduation bar study support, including outreach to students who do not pass on their first attempt. The Director reports to the Dean of Academic Affairs but works closely with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Lawyering faculty, and the Registrar's Office to implement scaffolded, data-informed support across all three years of law school and beyond.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Academic Support and Counseling

• Plan and execute the Academic Enhancement Program, including the Summer Institute, 1L skills sessions, and exam skills workshops.
• Supervise approximately 20 Student Success Fellows, including recruitment, training, pedagogical development, and performance oversight.
• Design and implement an early intervention strategy to identify and support students struggling to achieve success.
• Provide academic counseling to identified students, including course-selection advising after students’ 1L year.
• Assist students with individualized study plans and academic development.
• Coordinate with Lawyering faculty on required exam review for students earning below a C.
• Evaluate and administer Capstone/Independent Research eligibility criteria (GPA threshold, preliminary thesis approval, completion deadlines).

Bar Success

• Coordinate mini-bar exam program in partnership with the external partner institution, including scheduling of the exam in spring semester and assessment of exam results. Oversee and, as needed, teach the Pre-Bar Skills (fall) and up to two sections of Pre-Bar Prep (spring).
• Provide pre-bar counseling to 3L students on schedule adjustments, state application deadlines,character and Fitness requirements, and alternative licensure pathways.

Post-Graduation Bar Support

• Establish and lead structured, regular check-ins with graduates during the bar study period.
• Design and administer an incentive program for completion of milestones (e.g., stipends, gift cards).
• Monitor completion of commercial bar-prep coursework (Barbri, Themis) and provide individual outreach and study-plan assistance to students who need additional help.
• Coordinate on-campus study spaces and related programming during the bar study period.
• Develop and lead tailored workshops for part-time student cohorts.
• Assign and coordinate faculty advisors or attorney mentors for periodic check-ins with graduates.
• Provide individual outreach to students who do not pass.
• Develop and administer a structured bar-retaker support program, including any approved monetary stipends and individual tutoring support.

Program Administration & Reporting

• Track and analyze data on academic support engagement, bar preparation participation, and bar passage outcomes.
• Prepare annual compliance reporting for the ABA Bar Questionnaire and any regional accreditor compliance reporting as needed.
• Identify and pursue grant or external funding opportunities to support program initiatives (e.g., retaker stipends, study-space resources).

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with students, faculty, and colleagues.
• Superior interpersonal and counseling skills, including empathy, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Proficient knowledge of academic support, student learning, and legal education practices.
• Excellent knowledge of bar admission requirements, licensure pathways, and Character and Fitness processes.
• Superior analytical skills for interpreting student performance, engagement, and outcome data.
• Proficient use of student information, data-tracking, and reporting systems, including FERPA requirements.
• Proficient knowledge of commercial bar preparation platforms, including Barbri and Themis.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
• Superior leadership, coaching, and supervisory skills with a collaborative working style.
• Extremely strong commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and learning needs.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Three years of experience in academic support, bar preparation, legal practice, teaching, or closely related work.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Experience designing or administering academic support or bar preparation programming.
• Experience supervising staff, student employees, or peer leaders.
• Experience with grant development, external funding, or program support.
• Familiarity with current and emerging bar examination and licensure models, including the Uniform Bar Exam and NextGen Bar Exam.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
• Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on academic and bar preparation programming.
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Occasional local or professional travel may be required.
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person, with limited hybrid flexibility based on departmental needs and College policy.

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Starting at $95,000 per year, with consideration for experience.