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Law Professor

A Law Professor is a faculty member at a law school who teaches and researches law. Law Professors typically have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and may also have a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree. Law Professors may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, constitutional law, or international law, and they may teach a variety of courses in their area of expertise.

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A Law Professor is a faculty member at a law school who teaches and researches law. Law Professors typically have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and may also have a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree. Law Professors may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, constitutional law, or international law, and they may teach a variety of courses in their area of expertise.

Educational Background

Most Law Professors have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Some Law Professors also have a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree. Law Professors typically complete their J.D. degree in three years, and they may complete their LL.M. or S.J.D. degree in one or two additional years. In addition to their law degree, Law Professors may also have a bachelor's degree in a field such as political science, economics, or history.

Skills and Experience

Law Professors typically have strong research and writing skills. They are also able to communicate complex legal concepts to students in a clear and concise manner. Law Professors may also have experience working as a lawyer or judge before entering academia.

Career Path

Most Law Professors begin their careers as assistant professors. After several years of teaching and research, assistant professors may be promoted to associate professor and then full professor. Law Professors may also hold administrative positions within their law school, such as department chair or dean.

Career Prospects

The job outlook for Law Professors is expected to be good over the next several years. The demand for Law Professors is expected to increase as the number of law students grows. Law Professors may also find opportunities to work as legal consultants, mediators, or arbitrators.

Transferable Skills

The skills that Law Professors develop can be transferred to a variety of other careers, including:

  • Lawyer
  • Judge
  • Legal consultant
  • Mediator
  • Arbitrator

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The day-to-day responsibilities of a Law Professor may include:

  • Teaching law courses
  • Conducting research
  • Writing law review articles
  • Grading papers
  • Advising students
  • Serving on committees

Challenges

Law Professors may face a number of challenges in their careers, including:

  • The need to keep up with the latest developments in the law
  • The pressure to publish research
  • The need to balance teaching, research, and service responsibilities
  • The need to deal with difficult students

Projects

Law Professors may work on a variety of projects, including:

  • Writing law review articles
  • Conducting empirical research
  • Developing new teaching methods
  • Advising students

Personal Growth Opportunities

Law Professors may have a number of opportunities for personal growth in their careers, including:

  • The opportunity to learn about new areas of law
  • The opportunity to develop their research and writing skills
  • The opportunity to mentor students
  • The opportunity to make a difference in the world

Personality Traits and Personal Interests

Law Professors typically have the following personality traits and personal interests:

  • A strong interest in the law
  • Excellent research and writing skills
  • Strong communication skills
  • A commitment to teaching
  • A desire to make a difference in the world

Self-Guided Projects

Students who are interested in becoming Law Professors may complete a number of self-guided projects to better prepare themselves for their careers, including:

  • Writing a law review article
  • Conducting empirical research
  • Developing a new teaching method
  • Advising a student organization

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way for students to learn about the law and prepare for a career as a Law Professor. Online courses can provide students with the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field, and they can also help students to develop their research and writing skills. Online courses can also be a good way for students to prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and to improve their chances of being admitted to law school.

Online courses can help learners better prepare for this career by providing them with the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the law from leading experts in the field
  • Develop their research and writing skills
  • Prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
  • Improve their chances of being admitted to law school

While online courses can be a helpful way to prepare for a career as a Law Professor, they are not enough on their own. Students who want to become Law Professors will also need to complete a J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

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Salaries for Law Professor

City
Median
New York
$214,000
San Francisco
$232,000
Seattle
$277,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$214,000
San Francisco
$232,000
Seattle
$277,000
Austin
$190,000
Toronto
$128,000
London
£122,000
Paris
€144,000
Berlin
€116,000
Tel Aviv
₪194,500
Singapore
S$370,000
Beijing
¥317,000
Shanghai
¥184,000
Shenzhen
¥522,000
Bengalaru
₹660,000
Delhi
₹670,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Law Professor

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We've curated 22 courses to help you on your path to Law Professor. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
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A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay that argue for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and provide insights into the structure and principles of the American government.
Leading textbook on constitutional law. It provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of the Constitution, the structure of the federal government, the rights of individuals, and the role of the judiciary.
Leading textbook on constitutional theory. It examines a wide range of topics, including the nature of constitutions, the justification of constitutional authority, and the limits of constitutional power.
Provides a user-friendly guide to the First Amendment. Abrams explains the history, meaning, and impact of the First Amendment.
Compares the constitutions of different countries. The authors examine a wide range of topics, including the structure of government, the rights of individuals, and the role of the judiciary.
Collection of essays by leading scholars on the Constitution of the United States. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including the history of the Constitution, the interpretation of the Constitution, and the impact of the Constitution on American society.
Argues that the Constitution living document that must be interpreted in light of changing circumstances. Barnett draws on a variety of sources, including history, philosophy, and economics, to support his argument.
An accessible and comprehensive overview of the U.S. Constitution by renowned constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, covering its history, structure, and key principles.
Examines the challenges facing civil law in the 21st century. It discusses the impact of globalization, the rise of new technologies, and the changing nature of the family.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the law of contracts. It covers the formation, performance, and enforcement of contracts.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the law of property. It covers the various types of property interests, as well as the rights and Pflichten of property owners.
Examines the intersection of constitutional law and criminal justice. It covers a wide range of topics, including the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment, the Sixth Amendment, and the Eighth Amendment.
A comprehensive and authoritative treatise on constitutional law by one of the leading scholars in the field, providing in-depth analysis of constitutional principles and doctrines.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the law of torts. It covers the various types of torts, as well as the defenses to tort liability.
An analysis of the role of the Supreme Court in American politics, with a focus on the relationship between the Court and the wealthy and powerful.
A collection of essays by leading constitutional scholars that provides a wide-ranging overview of the history, theory, and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
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