Writing Advisor - UIC Law

About the role

The position serves as a legal writing coach and counselor for law students at all levels. It fulfills the law school's mission and enriches student performance within its nationally ranked Lawyering Skills program.

Responsibilities

• Deliver writing programming through individualized and group settings.
• Provide individual coaching to law students regarding all stages of the writing process through face-to-face and virtual conference.
• Advisors prepare for this responsibility by reading and commenting on students’ papers.
• Present workshops on various legal writing topics and collaborate with the Associate Director to innovate workshop content.
• Guide student development by focusing on interconnected skills to help students enhance their writing skills.
• Promote writing across the curriculum through collaboration with Lawyering Skills faculty and the Academic Achievement Program.
• Assess student writing and make appropriate recommendations.
• Identify individual student’s learning styles and help students create long-term and short-term plans for improving their writing, reading, and critical thinking skills.
• Review students’ written work, diagnose areas in students’ writing that need attention, and give clear, explicit feedback and direction to improve students’ understanding.
• Assist students in creating prewriting strategies, as well as strategies for organizing, revising, editing, and proofreading their own work.
• Maintain records of student visits, including common writing problems addressed.
• Attend meetings as needed and assigned.
• Engage, as opportunities present, in national and regional service related to the legal writing discipline and writing center best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of the WRC, the Director of the Lawyering Skills Department, or the Dean.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• A juris doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Bar membership in at least one jurisdiction within the United States.
• A minimum of two years’ legal experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with diverse students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced research skills.
• Motivation to acquire cross-disciplinary skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm for tutoring students at all levels of proficiency.
• Strong time management and organizational skills; attention to detail and initiative.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Windows and Office products, internet resources (such as TWEN, LexisNexis Classroom, Core Grammar for Lawyers, Purdue OWL, UNC Writing Center, and other writing resources), and e-mail tools.
• Ability to use technology as a teaching and learning tool; demonstrate excellent presentation skills; attention to detail and commitment to exceptional work quality standards; and a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years’ experience in a writing center at a law school.
• Experience teaching writing, or experience tutoring or training students.
• A degree in Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education, or related fields.
• Expertise in assessing students’ writing and rhetorical needs.
• Prior teaching experience at any level, preferably with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong desire to make a substantial contribution to higher education.

Skills

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Interpersonal skills in working with diverse students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Advanced research skills.
• Ability to use technology as a teaching and learning tool.
• Attention to detail and commitment to exceptional work quality standards.
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality.

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. These include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.