Adjunct Instructor, Employee Benefits, College of Law

Job Overview

The University of Cincinnati College of Law, an ABA-accredited law school, seeks lawyers and judges to teach an Employee Benefits course to students on a part-time basis during Spring 2027 or Fall 2028. This course examines the legal framework governing employee benefit plans, including both benefits regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and benefits outside ERISA’s scope. Topics include the structure and administration of pension and welfare benefit plans, fiduciary duties, disclosure and reporting requirements, and enforcement of participant rights. The course considers the responsibilities of employers, plan administrators, and fiduciaries in designing and managing benefit programs. It also examines ERISA preemption, litigation involving benefit disputes, and the interaction between federal regulation, employment practices, and health and retirement benefits.

The law school’s adjunct faculty, drawn from the region’s most distinguished jurists and practitioners, offers a wealth of practical experience and special expertise to our students. Adjunct professors are part-time, non-tenure/tenure track employees who teach specific courses during specific semesters as agreed.

Essential Functions

• Prepare for your course, which includes preparing the syllabus, selecting any unique teaching materials, selecting books for student purchase, preparing course materials and assessments/exams, and devising lesson plans.
• Provide a classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Teach the assigned course(s) using pedagogical and other teaching methods fairly and effectively.
• Track student attendance and refer students to the Administration if required for attendance and/or performance issues.
• Use the institution’s learning management platforms (Canvas) to post assignments, syllabi and other reference materials, and to communicate with students.
• Read submitted student work and assessments/exams and provide written comments to students in a timely manner.
• Establish and meet with students during “office hours” to provide individualized direction and assessment of progress.
• Grade all mid-term and final exam papers/exams, and other assessments as appropriate.
• Adhere to all University and College of Law policies.

Minimum Requirements

• Hold the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school or the equivalent.
• Five years post-J.D. work experience in legal practice or a related field.
• Communicate effectively.
• Maintain professional composure and demeanor at all times.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Prior teaching experience is desirable, but not essential.
• Face-to-face instruction is the default mode of teaching.