Advocacy Assistant Coach

Title: Advocacy Assistant Coach

Employee Classification: Adjunct Faculty

Campus: University of North Texas - Dallas

Division: DAL-Academic Aff & Stdnt Success

SubDivision-Department: DAL-UNT Dallas College of Law

Department: DAL-CoL-Academic Affairs-517200

Job Location: Downtown Dallas

Salary: $750.00 per semester

FTE: .48

Retirement Eligibility:

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

UNT Dallas College of Law is a public law school in downtown Dallas with a full-time day division and a part-time evening division. The College of Law’s goals are: (1) widening access to legal education for those who could be superb legal professionals but who cannot realistically access a legal education given factors including location, cost, and the current role of the LSAT in admission to and financing of law school; (2) providing an educational program focused on excellence in developing practice-related competencies, through a curriculum mapped to those competencies and using best instructional practices, including multiple formative and summative assessment throughout, engaged class design, and a spectrum of experiential education; (3) creating opportunity for our students by keeping tuition and debt low and producing graduates with high value and ability in multiple segments of the market for legal services; (4) becoming a national leader in advancing understanding of best legal education practices, of professional formation, and of the relationship between legal education and the evolving practice and business of law; (5) improving access to justice for underserved legal needs; and (6) serving as a valuable partner in civic engagement with the City of Dallas and the North Texas region.

Position Overview

Advocacy Coaches are a critical part of the College of Law’s learning community. Coaches are involved in curricular and co-curricular activities and programs relating to student learning and professional formation throughout law school.

The appointments will be as either Head Advocacy Coach or Assistant Advocacy Coach to coach a Moot Court or Mock Trial competition team in the 2024-2025 academic year. All competitions will likely be in person. At least one head coach is expected to travel with the teams. Assistant Coaches shall only travel with the team with express approval. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to UNT System policies.

Head coaches - $1,500 for each competition, no more than one competition per term;
Assistant coaches - $750 for each competition, no more than one competition per term.

Minimum Qualifications

All coaches must possess a J.D. degree, superb professional qualifications, the ability to achieve excellence in guiding and mentoring law students, and a commitment to the goals and curricular method of UNT Dallas College of Law.
All coaches must reside in the DFW area in order to facilitate regular practices.

Head coaches must possess either:
1) five or more years of practice experience;
2) substantial and extensive trial, appellate, or competition coach experience, which is of such high quality so as to provide sufficient foundation for coaching in UNT Dallas College of Law’s advocacy program.

• Head coaches not meeting the five-year requirement must be approved by the Director of Advocacy Competitions.
• Assistant coaches must possess at least one or more years of practice experience and a demonstrated commitment to the education of UNT Dallas College of Law students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of or ability to understand and analyze broad areas of law in order to provide effective guidance for students who may be unfamiliar with relevant laws. Topics vary per competition and are not always known in advance.
• Familiarity with moot court and/or mock trial competitions, including ballots and judging preferences.
• Clearly and effectively articulating ideas, actively listening to students, and providing constructive feedback. This also includes tailoring communication styles to suit different audiences and contexts.
• Creating a regular practice schedule and attending practices on a regular basis. Giving full attention to students, understanding their perspectives, and demonstrating empathy. This involves focusing on both verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Providing advice, feedback, and thought-provoking questions to help students gain self-awareness and explore different perspectives.
• Adjusting coaching methods to suit diverse student needs and situations and being open to different ways of sharing messages.
• Understanding personal coaching style, strengths, and weaknesses to foster personal and professional growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience coaching advocacy competition teams or competing in law school advocacy competitions at a high level is greatly preferred.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

Physical Requirements:

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Environmental Hazards:

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule:

As required to meet the academic schedule.

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Multiple start dates depending on the competition schedule.
Please upload:
Resume or Curriculum Vita
Cover letter indicating which type of competition (moot court or mock trial) the candidate is interested in coaching and whether interested in coaching multiple terms.
References: Please list contact information for 3 references

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.