Legal Commentary

So I gather it's hiring conference time again. Of course, I wish the best of luck to everyone. Herewith, some unsolicited advice.*

1) Sometimes -- less often than used to be the case, I think -- you will find that particular interviewers, or even whole factions of the interviewing committee, have some ideological commitment or hobby-horse that you cross at your own peril. Your first instincts will tell you to steer clear. But, look, you can't please everyone. Sally forth. What's the worst they can do -- ding you?

2) If you are interviewing with one of the 40 or so "top 20" schools, they may, in a clever feint, ask you primarily about your scholarship. They may seem uninterested in what you have to offer in the classroom. Don't believe it: talk mostly about your teaching.

3) Conversely, if you are interviewing with a school that asks primarily about your teaching aptitude and that has obvious teaching needs, this might be a good time to talk about how you would rather not teach Property, but do have a great idea for a limited-enrollment seminar on Derrida and legal theory.

4) You may find that you arrive at your schedule interview room only to find that the prior candidate is still talking with the committee (usually, you will hear gales of laughter from behind the closed door as you sit in the hallway). You have two good options here: 1) sit meekly without knocking while the prior candidate bogarts all your interview time); or 2) knock every minute or two until they let you in.

5) Don't be glib.

6) Finally, don't worry -- you have plenty of time, and the Marriott Wardman Park is easy to navigate. And there's never a lineup at the hotel Starbucks.

* I take no responsibility for any consequences of actually following this advice. And I might add in a more serious vein that it is quite possible to have a very good time at the meat market; kibitzing about the law is, after all, one of the great benefits of the job. This is just kibitzing under somewhat unusual circumstances. Enjoy.