Throughout legal history, practical experience has played a crucial role in the education of law students. A time-honored tradition, once dominated by apprenticeships, continues to hold significant importance in today’s academic settings. Wake Forest Law School maintains this tradition by employing adjunct professors who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. These professors balance their professional commitments in fields such as law firms, banks, and health systems while teaching courses, providing current students with valuable experiential learning.
One adjunct professor discusses their journey to law school, recalling how personal dedication and the support of “Melanie Nutt [who] was very invested in me” aided their progression. They emphasize lifelong learning and encourage students to be communicative with their professors, stating, “Your professors actually want to hear from you.”
Another faculty member acknowledges an early ambition, revealing, “I had the audacity to tell people from the time I was seven years old that I was going to be the President of the United States.” This professor stresses the importance of practical advocacy over grades, assuring students of their skills, “You have to take me at my word that you are just as good at it as they are.”
A professor who transitioned from a PhD in neuroscience to law noted the shift from bench science to being a patent attorney. They highlight mental health as a vital topic, reassuring students, “Getting help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Another instructor, teaching mediation, reflects on the changes over their 20-year teaching experience. They emphasize the significance of empathy and listening in mediation, sharing how their view transformed from “a litigation mentality to a mediation mentality.” They note that students in their course learn valuable communication skills.
Lastly, a professor who teaches business drafting focuses on clarity and client interest. They highlight the intricacies of course preparation, expressing newfound respect for full-time professors, “I have 1,000 times more respect now for all of my professors than I did back in law school.”
These adjunct professors continue to uphold and pass down the tradition of practical legal education by imparting their experiences and knowledge to aspiring law professionals.
