Assistant Professor - Legal Studies

As Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, you will teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as applicable; be involved in course and/or curriculum development; conduct research/scholarship; participate in Department, Program, College and University committees and/or initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned.

This position requires a scholar practitioner with a strong grounding in legal practice, legal reasoning, and applied legal education. A history of publication or potential for publication in a developing area of expertise is necessary. The successful candidate will interface with Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies, contribute to interdisciplinary programming, and participate in mock trials, moot court, and courtroom based simulations from a Legal Studies perspective. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off campus sites within the region.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments.
• Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned with curriculum goals and accreditation standards.
• Maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
• Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and individual support to students.
• Utilizes the University's learning management system and other instructional technologies effectively.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum development and program advancement.
• Ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are met.
• Establishes and maintains an active research program, including opportunities for undergraduate student involvement.
• Demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and grantsmanship.
• Engages in continued professional development and maintains professional skills appropriate to rank and field.
• Actively participates in departmental, college, and university committees and meetings.
• Contributes to community, institutional, and professional service in support of the University’s mission.
• Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning assessment, and required training activities.
• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators.
• Upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and excellence in all professional activities.
• Complies with University policies, procedures, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
• Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Florida
• Experience in the legal foundations governing forensic evidence, including admissibility, authentication, chain of custody, and expert testimony.
• Professional or practitioner experience integrating legal practice with applied forensic analysis, courtroom advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration with Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional legal practice experience involving forensic evidence, expert testimony, or litigation of forensic issues. A solid record of legal research and writing skills as demonstrated through work history, and/or a list of scholarly publications is highly desirable.
• Experience collaborating with Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies faculty and students on interdisciplinary programming.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to Legal Studies and related disciplines.
• Knowledge of forensic law, evidence, criminal procedure, and legal issues related to forensic investigation and evidence interpretation, including Daubert/Frye analysis and evidentiary objections.
• Knowledge of digital and interactive technologies and their application to specific learning goals across face-to-face, synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid teaching modalities.
• Skill in integrating academic research with applied Legal Studies practice and connecting research, theory, and practice within the classroom.
• Skill in using inquiry-based instructional models and strategies to support critical thinking and high-level questioning skills.
• Ability to teach effectively across undergraduate and graduate Legal Studies programs, including evidence, criminal procedure, forensic law, and interdisciplinary forensic law electives such as digital forensics and the law, forensic psychology and the law, wrongful convictions, and forensic error analysis.
• Ability to integrate hands-on, engaged learning into in-person classrooms and virtual learning environments, including simulations, applied exercises, collaborative problem solving, forensic casework, expert witness preparation, and courtroom simulations.
• Ability to support experiential learning across BS and MS programs, including applied research and community-engaged initiatives.
• Ability to contribute to and support mock trials, moot court, and forensic-focused courtroom simulations from a Legal Studies perspective.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Forensic Studies and Criminal Justice faculty and students, integrating methodological and analytical approaches relevant to forensic investigation and evidence interpretation.
• Ability to interface with Criminal Justice, contributing Legal Studies expertise to interdisciplinary programming.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and outside the University in the development and delivery of instruction, resulting in improved student learning.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:
In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open to feedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work; persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to achieve common goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU. Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Statement of Research
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Five (5) Professional References

The position is listed as “open until filled”, however applications received by November 30, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.