Associate Director of Law Practice

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

19h

About The Position

The Associate Director of Law Practice leads the development and implementation of law library programs and initiatives to prepare students for the practice of law. In alignment with the mission of the Law School and strategic priorities of the University Library, the incumbent will partner with stakeholders to identify opportunities for student skill development and lead the law library’s efforts in creating collaborative solutions for meeting those opportunities. The Associate Director of Law Practice also provides legal reference and research services to law library patrons; provides research support to law faculty through the law library’s liaison program; develops instructional materials and teaches legal research in the required first-year Legal Writing and Research Program; teaches upper-division legal research courses; develops and teaches other instruction-based programs; updates and maintains online research support materials; participates in collection development; supports institutional initiatives and collaborates with colleagues across units to support the research and learning mission of the University; works within the law library as well other campus libraries and University to explore emerging technologies in academic libraries, law libraries and the legal field; and promotes library programs and resources both internally and externally. This position reports to the Director of the Law Library.

Requirements

JD from an ABA-accredited institution and MLS (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution
Law practice experience.
Experience teaching legal research.
Expertise in legal bibliography and legal research methodologies.
Outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively teach and present.
Understanding of generative AI and LLMs and interest in the creative use of these tools.
Knowledge or interest in emerging technologies and/or legal technologies.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of law library programs and initiatives to prepare students for the practice of law.
Coordinate with liaison librarians to provide bespoke support across various law school departments and curricular programs to support the law school’s efforts to prepare students for the practice of law.
Develop course materials and teach legal research in the required first year Legal Writing and Research course.
Train students on the use of AI and other emerging technologies in the practice of law.
Provide reference services to Vanderbilt Law School students and faculty as well as the larger Vanderbilt University community.
Provide research support to law faculty through the law library’s liaison program.
Teach in upper-division legal research courses, seminars, and academic programs as needed.
Create and update online research guides, tutorials, and other web content.
Serve on University Library committees and work with colleagues in other campus libraries and University departments in support of the University’s mission for radical collaboration and interdisciplinary scholarship and learning.
Participate in professional organizations and engage in scholarly activities at the local, regional, national and/or international level.
Take part in collection development.
Manage additional projects and performs other duties as assigned.