Legal Commentary

Part I was an intro to the issue; some of the challenges faced by foreigners in the law school market were discussed in Part II.

Here are a few things to consider if you're thinking of a position at a U.S. law school:

Get a U.S. degree. Aim for a JSD rather than an LLM if possible (an LLM is regarded by some institutions as a degree aimed for foreign attorneys, rather than a milestone in an academic career). You might even consider getting a JD, which has the added benefit of being the optimal preparation for state bar exams, but that might be too expensive and too much of an investment, as well as a déjà vu of sorts if you already have a law degree. The value of an American degree is enormous. First, it is a signifier that employers easily recognize. It boosts up your foreign credentials and gives you local cred. Second, it indicates that you've taken classes in an American setting and are familiar with how things work here. Third, it's an opportunity to----

Networknetworknetwork. American scholars' reviews of your articles will mean more than obscure letters from people you respect very much, but whom no one at your prospective job knows. Meet people, exchange drafts, coauthor articles. This is a fantastic way to get acquainted with American law and American scholarship.

If you don't have a U.S. degree, and are coming in for a postdoc, try to include teaching in the package. The risk of being a postdoc is sitting in a room, working on your own research, and being isolated from everyone else on campus. Give a talk, or three, or better still, teach a class and accumulate U.S. teaching evals that can boost your application package. This way, when people ask you "how will you manage teaching a course on American law?" You'll be able to answer, "I already did." 

Turn your weaknesses into strengths. Your external perspective on legal provisions that everyone else takes for granted (such as, to use a familiar example, the exclusionary rule) allows you to examine legal issues with fresh eyes, and may help your American students to rethink and question established dogma. That is a huge strength in an educator.

Publish in U.S. periodicals. self explanatory.

Do your best to sort out your paperwork mess. Have you taken a Fulbright grant that requires two years in your home country? That might be somewhat of a difficulty coming back in. It is increasingly difficult to obtain H1-B visas, O visas, and merit-based green cards. Think of the process, and if necessary, seek legal advice. Getting in trouble with Homeland Security or USCIS is a bad idea, and stressing over this will not help your application process.

Bon Chance! Viel Glück! Buona fortuna! h?o yùn! Bettawfeeq! Behatzlakha! Good luck!