Director of the Mandell Trial Advocacy Center, School of Law
Title: Director of the Mandell Trial Advocacy Center, School of Law
Location: Bristol, RI
Category: Professional and Clerical
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Posted On: Tue Jul 14 2026
Job Description:
Under the direction of the Dean, the Director will lead the programs and initiatives of the Mandell Trial Advocacy Center ("the Center") at Roger Williams University School of Law. The Center is a sustained, multi-semester advocacy program that integrates coursework, controlled litigation simulations, selective trial competition participation, and legal practitioner engagement. The Center seeks to create world-class trial advocacy practitioners, with nationally recognized excellence. The Director will oversee the Center and its programs and staff and ensure that all Center goals are achieved. In particular, the Director will oversee the Center's day-to-day operations, curricular development and implementation, external engagement, trial team coaches, and program assessment. The Director also will ensure methodological consistency in trial advocacy instruction, following the Mandell Case Framing Method.
Program Establishment and Operation
In collaboration with the Dean and an advisory board for the Center, the Director of the Mandell Trial Advocacy Center will develop and manage the administrative and programmatic infrastructure of the Center, using the Mandell Case Framing Method as central and essential guidance. Responsibilities will include the following:
Develop and manage the administrative and programmatic infrastructure of the Center, using the Mandell Case Framing Method as central and essential guidance.
Build and manage a multi-semester trial advocacy curriculum following the Mandell Case Framing Method.
Develop and manage a trial advocacy certificate program for law students and practitioners following the Mandell Case Framing Method.
Develop and maintain instructional materials for students and practicing attorneys following the Mandell Case Framing Method.
Oversee the work of volunteer and adjunct coaches for student trial advocacy teams within the Center.
Develop and oversee an annual event in consultation with the Dean.
Manage day-to-day operations of all elements of the Center's programming.
Support student trial advocacy teams and student participation and travel to trial team competitions.
Administer Center funds effectively, in consultation with the Dean, to ensure student access to Center programs and trial team competitions.
Support visiting practitioners and national programming engagement.
Staff Supervision
Hire, train, manage, motivate, and evaluate direct report staff.
Job Requirements:
JD from an American Bar Association-approved law school.
At least five years of total experience in US civil trial litigation at the state or federal level.
Experience in legal education is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain new programing.
Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be accepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
Additional Information:
Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit .
RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: . All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address:
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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