"Mock Trial Director"

Seton Hall Law School is hiring a part-time Director of the Mock Trial Program for the 2025-26 academic year. The Mock Trial Program, founded in 2008, enables Seton Hall Law students to hone their trial skills by putting them into practice competitively. Students learn how to conduct a trial from opening statements to direct and cross-examination to closing arguments, in preparation for their participation in national interscholastic mock trial competitions. Seton Hall Law students typically participate in 4-6 national mock trial competitions per year. This is a part-time position that requires approximately 6-8 hours per week during each 13-week semester, with some additional time during the winter and summer to administer the program. The Director receives an annual stipend of $12,500 for this work. The Interscholastic Mock Trial Board is a group of 20-30 upper division students who compete in national mock trial competitions, both online and in person. Details regarding the board can be found here.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducting an internal annual selection competition.
• Training students in the trial skills needed to compete: instructing students in trial advocacy techniques including, but not limited to, writing and performing opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, and closing arguments, and making and responding to objections; teaching students the Federal Rules of Evidence and legal principles and procedures associated with both criminal and civil cases; working with students to develop case themes, theories, and strategies.
• Coaching a team each semester.
• Hiring/training coaches to assist in preparing students for competitions.
• Working with student co-chairs to select competitions and competitors.
• Supervising/managing content of a LinkedIn page for the board.
• Creating synergies with the Seton Hall University and New Jersey State Bar Association mock trial teams/competitions.
• Working with the Associate Dean of Experiential and Clinical Education to manage the mock trial budget.
• Supporting the Associate Dean of Experiential and Clinical Education with trial advocacy projects.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree
• Admitted to practice in at least one state and in good standing, or retired/inactive
• Significant trial and/or mock trial experience

Licenses and Certificates: J.D.

Salary Range: $12,500

Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt

Physical Demands: General Office Environment

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested parties should submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and list of three references. For questions about the position, please contact Professor Lori Outzs Borgen, Associate Dean for Experiential and Clinical Education, at lori.borgen@shu.edu or 973-642-8480. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.

Benefits Information: Seton Hall University offers supplemental retirement benefits. More information is available at https://www.shu.edu/human-resources/benefits.html.