Unshrouding the Role of Today’s Oft-Underappreciated Law School Adjunct

Every August and December, thousands of practicing lawyers like clockwork ready themselves for their fall or spring classes at the country's 199 ABA-approved law schools. 

Whether in their first or thirtieth year of teaching, and regardless of whether they do so at a national, regional, or local law school, these dedicated professionals volunteer to return to the classroom to share their insights, expertise, and real-world experiences with the next generation of lawyer-leaders

As those who have taken on the challenge of teaching tomorrow's lawyers know well, the adjuncts' presence on campus is largely accepted as a given. Yet, surprisingly little thought, scholarly or otherwise, has been given to (i) what motivates them to take on these positions with little to no remuneration, (ii) the exceptional positive economic impact this team of short-term instructors has on their institutions, (iii) what makes for a positive adjunct experience, and (iv) how institutions can more fully integrate adjuncts into the law school community with the attendant benefits to both from doing so.

Co-authored with Prof. Eugene Volokh and Andrew S. Boutros