How to Become a Law Professor: Is It the Right Career for You?

Law Professor Career Video

Becoming a law professor is an intellectually fulfilling and impactful career path for individuals passionate about law, education, and shaping the minds of future legal professionals. This role blends deep legal expertise with teaching, research, and service to both academic institutions and the broader legal community. If you’ve ever imagined standing at the front of a lecture hall, guiding students through constitutional law or leading cutting-edge legal research, then a career as a law professor might be worth considering.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from responsibilities and qualifications to salary outlook and self-assessment tools—to help you determine whether becoming a law professor is the right choice for you.

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What Does a Law Professor Do?

Law professors are legal scholars and educators who teach students the theory and practice of law, prepare them for legal careers, and contribute to the advancement of legal scholarship through research and publication.

Core Responsibilities

At the heart of their role, law professors perform a wide range of academic duties, including:

  • Designing and teaching legal courses in areas such as constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, contracts, and legal ethics
  • Developing course syllabi, lectures, class discussions, case studies, and assessments tailored to both JD and LLM students
  • Mentoring and advising students on academic progress, career paths, bar exam preparation, and legal writing
  • Grading papers, exams, and legal writing assignments to assess comprehension and critical thinking
  • Participating in faculty governance, including attending department meetings, hiring committees, and curriculum development

Research and Publishing

Research is not just encouraged—it’s expected. Law professors regularly engage in:

  • Publishing scholarly articles in peer-reviewed law journals
  • Authoring textbooks, legal treatises, and policy papers
  • Presenting research at academic conferences and symposia
  • Collaborating with scholars, think tanks, and policy organizations

Their work often influences not only legal academia but also court decisions and legislative reform.

Mentorship and Public Service

Beyond teaching and research, law professors are deeply involved in mentorship and service to the legal community. This includes:

  • Mentoring students and junior faculty through writing workshops, clerkship guidance, and career planning
  • Serving on editorial boards, university panels, or nonprofit legal organizations
  • Acting as expert witnesses in court or legislative hearings
  • Consulting on public policy and legal reform initiatives at the local, national, or international level

In essence, law professors wear many hats, serving as educators, researchers, mentors, and public intellectuals.

What Is the Working Environment for a Law Professor?

Academic Setting

Most law professors work in universities or law schools. Their environment typically includes lecture halls, seminar rooms, research libraries, and faculty offices. Some professors may teach online or in hybrid formats.

Work Schedule

Though the schedule can be flexible, it is often demanding. Professors balance teaching, research, administrative duties, and student mentorship. Unlike many 9-to-5 jobs, academic work frequently spills into evenings and weekends, especially during periods of grading or publication deadlines.

Professional Collaboration

Law professors often collaborate with colleagues on interdisciplinary research, legal clinics, and conferences. Networking within academic and legal communities is key to professional development and impact.

How Do You Become a Law Professor?

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Begin with a solid undergraduate foundation, typically in fields such as political science, philosophy, history, or economics. Your GPA and extracurriculars will be necessary for law school admission.

Step 2: Complete Law School (JD)

Enroll in an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD). Top academic performance, law review experience, and strong writing skills are crucial.

Step 3: Gain Legal Experience

Many law professors begin their careers in legal practice. Clerking for a judge or working at a top law firm or public interest organization can strengthen your resume.

Step 4: Pursue an LL.M. or SJD (Optional)

Advanced legal degrees such as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) can be helpful for those pursuing legal academia, especially in specialized areas.

Step 5: Publish Academic Work

Start writing and publishing legal scholarship. Law reviews and academic journals are primary outlets.

Step 6: Apply for Academic Positions

Apply for fellowships, lectureships, or tenure-track positions. Building a network and attending academic conferences is key.

Helpful Link: Association of American Law Schools

What Is the Salary of a Law Professor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for postsecondary law teachers is $127,360, with the top 10% earning more than $179,700.

What Is the Labor Market for a Law Professor?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

This growth is driven by increasing student enrollment in higher education and the need to replace retiring faculty. Law schools continue to expand offerings in emerging legal fields such as environmental law and cybersecurity.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a Law Professor?

Pros

  • Intellectual engagement: Opportunities to explore, publish, and debate complex legal issues.
  • Work autonomy: Freedom to choose research topics and teaching methods.
  • Job security: Tenured positions provide long-term employment stability.
  • Impact: Influence future generations of legal professionals.

Cons

  • Competitive job market: Entry into academia is highly selective.
  • High pressure: Expectations for publishing and institutional service.
  • Extended path to employment: Often requires years of practice, study, and publication.
  • Income variability: Salaries may vary based on the institution's type and location.

What Are the Careers Related to Being a Law Professor?

Law Professor - A Social Career Path

A Law Professor fits the Social–Investigative–Enterprising personality types in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework connects your interests and traits to compatible careers—discover your personal code through the Career Fit Test™.

Social types enjoy teaching and mentoring, which is central to this role. Investigative individuals thrive on research, critical thinking, and analyzing complex legal issues. Enterprising traits, which reflect confidence in public speaking and leadership, are common in academic and legal environments. Law professors educate future attorneys, publish legal scholarship, and often influence policy or contribute to public discourse. This path suits those who value justice, lifelong learning, and intellectual challenge.

List of Holland Social Careers

Below are many more social careers. Also, see our article, Finding the Right Career for Your Social Personality.

To explore which ones match your passions and skills, take the Career Fit Test™.

What Types of Jobs Can a Law Professor Pursue?

Beyond academia, law professors may explore:

  • Legal consulting for law firms, nonprofits, or government
  • Policy research roles in think tanks or NGOs
  • Judicial appointments or clerkships
  • Legal publishing and editorial roles
  • Public speaking or expert testimony in litigation

Some professors even transition into administrative roles, such as Dean or Academic Director, within law schools.

What Websites Are Best for Finding Law Professor Jobs?

How Do I Know If I Should Be a Law Professor?

Becoming a law professor is a highly rewarding yet intellectually demanding career path. To determine if this profession aligns with your strengths, goals, and interests, you can take several practical steps.

Take a Career Aptitude Test

A career aptitude test is one of the most effective ways to assess whether law academia is a good fit for you. The Free Career Fit Test™ is an especially valuable resource designed to help you gain personalized insight into your ideal career path.

This comprehensive test includes three major components:

After completing the test, you'll receive the Career Fit Test™ Premium Report, which helps you:

  • Discover your top strengths and how they relate to your career potential
  • Understand your ideal work setting and job dynamics
  • Find careers that align with your personal values and passions
  • Gain clarity about how to live your calling through work you love

Conduct Informational Interviews

Another powerful strategy is to speak directly with current or retired law professors. Through informational interviews, you can:

  • Learn about real-world experiences, daily responsibilities, and work-life balance
  • Gain perspective on challenges like publishing pressure or tenure requirements
  • Receive personalized advice on educational preparation and job market navigation

These conversations often provide unfiltered insight you won’t find in job descriptions or online articles.

Evaluate Your Interests and Strengths

Ask yourself the following key questions:

  • Do I enjoy conducting in-depth academic research and writing scholarly papers?
  • Am I passionate about educating, guiding, and mentoring others?
  • Am I excited by legal theory and intellectual debate?
  • Am I willing to invest in a rigorous academic path—including law school, clerkships, and publishing?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, the role of a law professor could be an excellent match for your skills and aspirations.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as a Law Professor?

These organizations offer directories, job boards, and professional development resources.

Conclusion

Becoming a law professor is a prestigious and intellectually fulfilling career—but it’s also a path that demands commitment, perseverance, and a passion for both law and education. It involves years of academic preparation, a strong track record of legal scholarship, and a deep interest in teaching and mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

If these qualities resonate with you, consider taking a career test like the Free Career Fit Test™ to gain deeper insight into whether this path aligns with your strengths, personality, and professional goals. This powerful tool offers a career aptitude test, a strengths-based assessment, and a personality profile—all designed to help you find your best-fit career and live your calling through work you truly enjoy.

While the road to becoming a law professor can be demanding, it offers the opportunity to shape legal thinking, contribute to public policy, and leave a lasting impact on students and the legal community.