Director of Advocacy Programs

Director of Advocacy Programs - Hiring Announcement Position Overview The Director of Advocacy Programs will provide strategic leadership and coordination for all aspects of the law school's advocacy initiatives. This includes oversight of advocacy competitions such as moot court, mock trial, and negotiations; supervision an d mentorship of student advocates; and engagement with external partners to promote the law school's mission of preparing practice -ready graduates through hands -on experiential learning. The Director will report to the Dean and Vice Dean and will hold teaching responsibilities in advocacy -related subjects, including , but not limited to , Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, and Negotiations . The Director will also be encouraged to develop additional advocacy skills courses that enhance the law school's experiential curriculum and strengthen connections across the advocacy and skills programs. Primary Responsibilities I. Program Development and Management • Develop, implement, and continually refine the advocacy curriculum and related training materials. • Recruit students to participate in internal and external advocacy competitions. • Recruit, coordinate, and oversee faculty, adjuncts, and alumni coaches for all external competition teams (trial advocacy, moot court, negotiations, and others). • Plan, promote, and attend internal competitions and team tryouts. • Oversee the logistical, budgetary, and administrative aspects of advocacy programming in coordination with other law school departments. • Coordinate closely with the Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis II program to ensure consistency between written and oral advocacy training and to ensure that both programs complement and reinforce one another. II. Teaching and Curriculum Development • Teach courses in advocacy -related subjects, including but not limited to Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy , and Negotiations . • Develop and propose additional skills -based courses that align with the law school's experiential learning goals. • Incorporate practical, hands -on learning opportunities into the classroom experience. III. Student Supervision and Mentorship • Attend select team practices and competitions to ensure consistency and quality in coaching and training. • Coordinate travel and logistical arrangements for external competition teams with assistance from staff. • Select external competitions each year and oversee the student selection and team formation process. • Provide direct and indirect supervision, mentorship, and performance feedback to student advocates. • Foster a culture of professionalism among student teams. IV. External Engagement and Advocacy • Cultivate and maintain relationships with alumni, legal organizations, and community partners to strengthen the law school's advocacy network. • Represent the law school at public events, conferences, and competitions to promote advocacy initiatives. • Monitor developments in advocacy education, trial practice, and competition trends to identify opportunities for innovation and program enhancement. Required Skills and Qualifications • Juris Doctor degree with a strong academic record. • Significant experience in legal practice or advocacy, including trial and/or appellate practice experience. • Demonstrated teaching ability or interest in legal education and advocacy training. • Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills. • Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills . • Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, community organizations, and policymakers. • Preference will be given to those who have some moot court or mock trial experience, either as competitor or coach. All interested candidates should submit their letter of interest and a current professional resume to: Erika Murray - emurray@johnmarshall.edu Executive Assistant to the Dean Atlanta's John Marshall Law School 245 Peachtree Center Ave., NE, Suite 1900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303