Career
Professor Colin Marks (’01) After law school, Professor Marks clerked for the Honorable Harold R. DeMoss, Jr. on the United States Fifth Court of Appeals for two years. In the fall of 2003, Professor Marks joined the law firm of Baker Botts, L.L.P., in Houston, Texas where he was an associate in the trial department. Professor Marks joined St. Mary’s University School of Law in the summer of 2006.
Professor Elizabeth Trujillo (’99) “Teaching law for me has been very rewarding professionally and personally. I feel lucky to be able to do what I love and write about it. As a teacher, I learn so much from my students. My advice is to remain flexible and recognize that teaching requires constant self-reflection and refinement of your own legal skills. UHLC gave me a solid foundation to do just that.” Professor Trujillo teaches in the areas of Contracts, Domestic and International Sales Law, NAFTA, International Business Transactions, and Business Organizations. Her current research is primarily in the areas of international trade and domestic regulation. She is currently assistant professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and will be starting as Associate Professor at Suffolk University Law School in Boston in July 2007.
Academic Careers
Several of our graduates pursue careers in education as faculty members or administrators in undergraduate and graduate institutions.
Law Faculty
Although faculty members generally do not enter academia until they have at least a couple of years of practice, plans for a teaching career should begin in law school. Educators must teach and publish, so law students with an eye towards this career should take advantage of every opportunity to hone speaking and writing skills. Enroll in courses that help you learn to present legal material orally and on paper. Join journals and try to publish your papers through journals or writing competitions. Maintain high academic credentials and commit to clerking for a state or federal judge after graduation.
For more information, attend Professor Michael Olivas’ annual seminar entitled “So, You Want to be a Law Professor.”
Administrators
Administrators also usually have practical experience before beginning an academic career. Such experience may be in the practice of law or in the area in which they will pursue a career, such as marketing, admissions, student counseling, and financial management. Students considering a future career in higher education should consider campus volunteer or paid positions while in school to gain exposure to the process and contacts in the field.
Useful links:
Chronicle of Higher Education (see posted positions in law and other disciplines)
Related Links