Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor

University of the Pacific; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

University of the Pacific is seeking an Adjunct Professor for the Trial Advocacy program in Sacramento, California. The candidate will co-teach trial advocacy classes, coach mock trial teams, and collaborate on curriculum development. Minimum qualifications include a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and substantial trial lawyer experience. The role values diversity and promotes social justice and inclusion within the academic setting. Successful candidates will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills while demonstrating a commitment to equity.

Qualifications

• 3 years of post-J.D. legal experience, including significant experience as a trial lawyer.
• 3 years experience working with law students as a supervisor or instructor.
• Member of a state bar association.

Responsibilities

• Co-teach a trial advocacy course with full-time professors.
• Coach inter-school mock trial teams.
• Develop curriculum and training materials.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Experience with diverse backgrounds

Education

Juris‑Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

Position: Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor

Location: Sacramento, California (candidate must be willing to relocate within 25 miles of the Sacramento Pacific campus).

Primary Purpose and Essential Functions

The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (McGeorge), invites applications for adjunct faculty in the Trial Advocacy program. Currently opening for an adjunct faculty position to teach a trial advocacy class and several mock trial coaching positions for the 2026‑2027 academic year. The Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy will co‑teach a trial advocacy course with two full‑time professors, attend one lecture evening per week, and teach a separate small‑group section. The Adjunct Professor – Mock Trial Coach will coach one or more inter‑school mock trial teams. Responsibilities for both positions include:

• Collaborating with other Trial Advocacy faculty and the Associate Dean of Advocacy to develop curriculum and training materials for students in trial advocacy classes and the mock trial program.
• Assisting with administration and development of the Mock Trial Program, including coaching teams and coordinating with the Associate Dean of Advocacy to plan competitions, practices, and travel by coaches and team members.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our students and employees. We prioritize policies and decision‑making that demonstrate awareness of, and responsiveness to, social‑cultural forces that impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Holds a Juris‑Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Has three (3) years of post‑J.D. legal experience, including significant experience as a trial lawyer, criminal or civil.
• Has three (3) years experience working with law students or recent law school graduates as a supervisor, mentor, teacher, or instructor.
• Member of a state bar association.

Preferred Qualifications

• Involvement in national and state advocacy organizations such as the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), Legal Aid Services of California (LAAC), and the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators (NALAE).
• Effective communication skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and core values of McGeorge School of Law.
• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge into their work.

Physical Requirements

Frequent sitting and computer use. Occasional walking, standing, bending, kneeling, use of phone, and lifting up to 25 lbs. This is an in‑person role; candidate must be willing to relocate within California, preferably within 25 miles of the Sacramento Pacific campus.

Work is primarily performed in a standard higher education environment with computer and phone use. Schedule depends on course and department needs.

Anti‑Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in hiring of faculty and staff or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combinations thereof. Hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.