How to Become a Law Professor

The teaching profession is a noble career, educating young minds so that they can go on to do great things. Teaching at any level can make a positive difference in the world, by sharing your knowledge with those who wish to learn. The requirements for teaching vary, based on what level you will teach and what subject matter. It takes a great deal of work to get to the level of teaching college, especially at the graduate level.A law professor has many steps on the career path to get to the point of being able to teach law school. If you are interested in becoming a law professor, read on to find out how.

Things You'll Need

• many years of schooling
• graduation from law school
• practice in the law or related field for a period of years
• writing resume in the law field
• patience and dedication

Instructions

1. Get the necessary educational background. You need to receive your undergraduate degree, and then go to law school at an accredited ABA institution to get your juris doctorate degree in the law. Although a few law professors may only have a master's in law, most schools require a juris doctorate for you to become a full time tenure track law professor.

2. Obtain a second graduate degree in a field which will allow you to more specialize your legal knowledge. For example, you could get an MBA which would lead you to teaching business related legal courses at the law school. Having a second graduate degree will also help increase the power of your resume.

3. Take and pass the bar exam in the state/s where you will practice law. Keep in mind that where you practice will be the best place for you to become a law professor, as you are familiar with that state's laws to teach them to students. If you plan to teach somewhere other than where you practice, at least take and pass the bar exam in the state where you will teach, to show you have the basic knowledge of the laws of that state.

4. Get legal experience in the area in which you wish to teach. If you desire to teach family law, start practicing as a family law practitioner. Law schools will weigh this factor heavily, as it is difficult to teach a subject in which you have no real experience.

5. Build a writing resume. What this means is that you should start writing legal works. You could write articles for some different professional legal magazines. For a 10-fold increase in your chances at becoming a law professor, be the writer of the next textbook in your subject area used by law professors in your state.

6. Become a role model in the legal community and the community at large. This added effort shows your dedication to the legal field. Do volunteer work in law, and set up your own free classes to give your community information on how to file a lawsuit, for example.

7. Become known in the field of law you practice as outstanding. Maybe you'll be one of the greatest criminal defense attorneys and then go on to teach criminal law. Or you might become known as an incredible writer of wills, and go on to teach Trusts and Estates.

8. Once you have achieved the necessary background, you are ready to start trying to become hired as a law professor. Go to the different schools, and start talking to the administration so they can get to know you. Tell them about your interest and ask them what steps you should take to enable you to become a professor teaching law there.

9. Fill out the necessary paperwork and submit your resume for any open positions at the law school in which you wish to teach. Make sure to give professional references of those who can describe your character and your competency to teach law school courses.

Tips & Warnings

• You can increase your chances of being hired as a law professor by applying to more than one school with openings for law professor.

• You may have a better chance at teaching for a law school in the state where you are licensed to practice law.

• If you are unable to become a full time professor of law, you might be able to teach a class or two part time. Look for part time faculty positions at the school as well.

• To become a law professor, you're going to need a WOW factor. Whether it be that you wrote your own course book or became known as a great legal mind, you'll want something to get your foot in the door, especially at top notch law schools like Harvard.

• To become a law professor at Harvard or somewhere similar, the school will also look at your academic record and achievements while in law school. It couldn't hurt to have been part of the Bar Review and to have had a 4.0 GPA, so keep this in mind while you are in law school yourself. Take your involvement and studies seriously.