VAPs and Fellowships differ in many ways. How long do they last? What teaching is permitted and/or expected? How absolute are bans on hiring folks from these programs onto the faculty? What is the salary? Leandra Lederman attempts here to provide a guide allowing those considering a position or advising others to sort through complexities.

“Making the Most of VAPs and Fellowships: A Guide for Law Schools and Aspiring Legal Academics” 
University of Florida Levin College of Law Research Paper Forthcoming
Indiana Legal Studies Research Paper No.

LEANDRA LEDERMAN, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Email: llederma@iu.edu

This Article is intended for both (1) Visiting Assistant Professors and Fellows (collectively VAPs) who plan to go on the tenure-track legal-academic market, and (2) law professors advising VAPs or developing a VAP program. After examining how to distinguish among the various types of VAP positions, the Article discusses what types of mentoring VAPs will likely need in order to succeed in their various responsibilities. It also explains what documents and preparation faculty candidates will need to have to optimize their chances on the tenure-track legal-academic job market. The Article includes best practices for law schools hiring VAPs, as well as optimal times for providing various types of mentoring. It also includes a suggested timeline for VAPs who are aspiring tenure-track professors, so as to assist them in juggling their responsibilities to the host school with preparations for the tenure-track job market.