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American University Washington College of Law is seeking applications for a Practitioner-in-Residence for AY 2026-2027 in the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic.  This is a term faculty appointment, with reappointment, starting November 23, 2026, through June 30, 2027. American University’s in-house, “live-client” Clinical Program, comprising eleven (11) in-house clinics and serving nearly 200 students per year, is respected for its leadership in scholarship, development of clinical methodology, contributions to increasing access to justice for under-served clients and breadth of offerings.

The Tax Clinic provides legal representation, education, and advocacy for low-income individuals with disputes against the Internal Revenue Service. Cases include audits, administrative appeals, refund claims, collection disputes, and other matters before the IRS or before a federal court. The Clinic also provides community education and engages in systemic advocacy efforts. The overarching goals are to protect and advance the legal rights of low-income individuals in the tax system, and to improve the equity of the tax system.

The Practitioner-in-Residence Program, created in 1998, is a program designed to train lawyers or entry-level clinicians interested in becoming clinical teachers in the practice and theory of clinical legal education.  Many graduates of the Practitioner-in-Residence program have gone on to tenure-track or other long-term teaching positions at other law schools. Practitioners supervise student casework, co-teach weekly clinic seminars and case rounds, and engage in course planning and preparation with the faculty member who directs the clinic that they teach in. They also teach a course outside of the clinical curriculum after their first year of teaching.  The Practitioner-in-Residence Program provides training in clinical theory and methodology and assists Practitioners in the development of their scholarship.

Minimum qualifications include a JD degree, outstanding academic record, three years’ experience as a lawyer (or equivalent work experience) and membership in a state bar. The annualized salary for the position is $90,000.

Applications that include a curriculum vitae and cover letter should be submitted online via Workday. Please contact Erica Devine, Faculty Affairs Manager, at [email protected] if you have any general questions regarding the application process and contact Professor Christine Speidel, Director of the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic, at [email protected],

for any other questions about the position. The position will remain open until filled.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.