Pre Law Director

The Pre-Law Program at Dillard University is in a unique position to do something different. As part of an HBCU, we are attuned to the needs of all students, but particularly those of color and acutely aware of the obstacles they face. By contrast, the legal profession is one of the least diverse in the country. According to the American Bar Association’s National Lawyer Population Survey, only 5% of United States attorneys are African American. To be a pre-law program oriented toward African American students and students of color is as unprecedented as it is necessary, and we are proud to take up this mantle.

As of 2022, while African Americans constituted 13.3% of the population in the United States, they are only 8.3% of law school students. And, while 78% of white applicants were admitted to at least one law school, just 48% of African Americans who applied to law school in 2022 were admitted. We believe it is critical that these students receive pre-law advising throughout their education at Dillard to help forge a path for success. After a student reaches out to our program, our Pre-Law Team makes it a priority to meet with them at least once a semester to make sure they are on the right track. As students progress through the program and their undergraduate education, we offer application assistance for internships and summer programs, and, eventually, law school.

Careful, empathic, consistent advising built on personalized attention sets our pre-law program apart. Our Pre-Law Team gets to know each and every student they advise, allowing them to go beyond the typical scope of advising to address the unique obstacles students of color face. From financial aid advising to on-campus counseling referrals, we strive to support our pre-law students every step of the way.

We believe that the legal profession and justice system should both represent and reflect the people of our country in order to best serve them. The demand for diversity is increasing everywhere, but it cannot be met without an established pipeline of students who are prepared for the work ahead. Our pre-law program is not a major, but a co-curricular program in which students interested in the law can receive support outside the classroom to achieve their goals and enter the legal profession. Any student with an interest in the law can benefit from our program, and any student can join, regardless of major. Join us in diversifying the legal profession, one student at a time.

The Pre-Law Director leads the team effort toward access to legal education by developing relationships with and materials for our pre-law advisors and prospective law school applicants. Additionally, the Director serves as equal parts senior level relationship manager, responsible for relationship development and maintenance; educational trainer, delivering dynamic educational sessions in person and online; and content expert, assisting with the creation of educational materials. The Director works collaboratively with the Academic Deans, Chairs, and Coordinators, as well as the marketing teams to execute delivery of the program.

Position Overview

The basic functions of the Pre-Law Director include developing strategies for and providing or identifying appropriate resources concerning legal education and the legal profession, and assisting advisees in the law school application process. Such assistance includes, but is not limited to, providing guidance on preparation for law school, including undergraduate curriculum; providing basic information on Law School Admission Council services, including the Law School Admission Test, Credential Assembly Service, and online application process; informing students about deadlines and fees; providing information on financial aid for law school; writing dean’s letters or letters of evaluation for applicants; reviewing application materials such as personal statements for law school; and answering questions.

This is an eleven-month position (August through June or July through May). Additionally, while it is expected that a successful candidate shall spend a majority of their time in-person and on campus, the University has a remote work policy that may allow for a hybrid work schedule.

Essential Duties and Functions

A successful candidate shall act as chief strategy officer for the pre-law department and serve as a facilitator in the pre-legal decision-making and admissions process, bringing together knowledge of the advisee's needs and ambitions with information on various law schools and law-related careers. Properly performed, this role implies asking thought-provoking questions, directing advisees to resources, and helping them make good decisions.

The Pre-Law Director must have proficiency in understanding programs offered by law schools and other entities in order to develop programs, strategies and interventions that will not only encourage students to consider the legal profession but put them in the best possible position to take advantage of opportunities for involvement with internal and external resources like law school student organizations and industry partners.

The Pre-Law Director shall lead the development of a portfolio of the best objective sources of information about specific law schools.

The Pre-Law director leads the Pre-Law Team in careful advisement based upon a wide variety of data points and face-to-face conversations with students. It is the expectation of this position that it will also aid in building students’ criteria for selecting law schools, including admissions standards, costs, and availability of financial aid, location, employment data, special programs, and special opportunities.

The Pre-Law Director shall also develop and oversee the implementation of an evaluation system that will aid advisees regarding their chances of obtaining admission to specific law schools.

Shall be knowledgeable about LSAC’s website, Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and online application process.

The Pre-Law Director shall oversee an advisement process that enables students to have very clear plans of action regarding the timely application for the LSAT and CAS.

The Pre-Law Director shall ensure that they and their team speak frankly with advisees about how they plan to pay for law school, the realities of a significant debt burden, and income expectations as a lawyer.

The Pre-Law Director shall implement programs and systems that encourage self-evaluation of talents, strengths, weaknesses and interests, and at the same time encourage students to seek real knowledge of professions that may match these characteristics

The Pre-Law Director shall ensure that the Pre-Law Department coordinates visits to law schools, given available resources and invite law school representatives to visit the Dillard University campus.

The Pre-Law Director shall share their knowledge, experience, publications, and ideas with other pre-law advisors and solicit external resources through fundraising and writing grants.

The Pre-Law Director is responsible for managing the department budget.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

• 3 – 5 years’ experience in advising undergraduate students or in the legal profession.

• Ability to travel in a professional capacity.

• Ability to host and participate in programming and events on evenings and weekends.

• Experience working with diverse constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• JD strongly preferred.

• Experience in legal education or practice.

• Demonstrated understanding of the law school admissions landscape.

• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, and counseling skills.

• Knowledge of the pre-law student population.

• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated experience with databases, web applications, and electronic communications

Supervision

Reports directly to the University’s Provost and supervises a team of 2-3 staff including the Pre-Law Advisor.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of trustees.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Certifications, licenses and registration

Bar licensure is strongly preferred. (Note: Any history of discipline reflected in the public record regarding an applicant’s law license may disqualify the applicant regardless of whether or not the applicant has an active license.)