The Practitioner-in-Residence (PIR) role is a non-tenure track faculty position within Suffolk’s nationally ranked Clinical Programs.  The PIR will lead a cutting-edge partnership between the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and Suffolk Law School to create an Online Dispute Resolution Innovation Clinic. The Clinic will be housed within Suffolk Law’s #12-ranked Clinical Program, our #1-ranked Legal Innovation and Technology Center, and our top-25 Dispute Resolution program. The AAA-Suffolk ODR Innovation Clinic (the “Clinic”) will engage Suffolk Law faculty, students, and members of the AAA in designing, building, and then assisting clients in using a first-of-its kind ODR process to help otherwise unrepresented litigants more easily navigate the no-fault divorce process in Massachusetts.

The Clinic has the potential to serve as a replicable model for the fair and efficient resolution of family law matters and, even more importantly, to demonstrate ODR’s potential to increase access to justice.  The PIR will serve as the Director of the new Clinic, designing the curriculum, supervising clinic students in their work on the project, teaching the clinical seminar in collaboration with other members of the team, and overseeing student participation in all aspects of the development of the novel ODR process. The PIR will be an integral part of the project team, which includes skilled legal tech experts, ODR and ADR experts, including members of the AAA, family law experts, and clinicians.

The PIR may have the opportunity to teach a course outside of the Clinic, depending on expertise and curricular needs. The PIR will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops, programs, and conferences on clinical pedagogy, scholarship, legal education, ODR, family law, legal tech, and/or other topics. 

The PIR will report to Sarah Boonin, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning, and Gabe Teninbaum, Assistant Dean of Innovation, Strategic Initiatives, & Distance Education.

Qualifications:

• Must be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and qualified to represent clients in Massachusetts state courts, or able to waive into the Massachusetts Bar under SJC Rule 3:04, prior to the commencement of the position.

• At least five years of mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution experience is required, including substantial experience or expertise in the field of family and divorce mediation or ADR;

• Experience litigating divorce and family law matters is strongly preferred, especially practice experience in Massachusetts;

• Experience working with a diverse clientele, including experience working with low-income clients is strongly preferred;

• Teaching and/ or significant mentoring experience is strongly preferred, as is experience participating in a law school clinic;

• Applicants should demonstrate an interest in scholarly engagement and production, particularly in studying and reporting on the results of the project.

Hours and Duration: This position will begin as soon as possible, and is a 12-month position with the possibility of annual renewal for up to 3 years. The position is full-time and in-person, with the option to set a hybrid schedule that meets student and institutional needs.

Required Application Documents:

Cover Letter Resume or CV

List of three references

Teaching Evaluations(if applicable)