Executive Director, Program in Complex Litigation

College Summary

A national leader in experiential legal education the University of Denver Sturm College of Law features a community of nationally recognized scholar-teachers an outstanding student body an accomplished and highly professional staff and roughly 17000 alumni who have achieved careers of distinction in law business government public interest and other professional domains. Located in a beautiful and economically vibrant metropolitan area the Sturm College of Law supports a full-time JD program a Professional Part-Time JD program a range of pioneering Masters programs and a set of esteemed specialty programs.

Position and Program Description

The Sturm College of Law seeks a visionary and nationally respected expert in the field of complex litigation to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of its Program in Complex Litigation and Visiting Professor of Law. Catalyzed by a significant financial commitment by the law firm of Wheeler Trigg ODonnell (WTO) the Program in Complex Litigation trains students to practice effectively in the field of complex litigation heightens understanding of the field and works to bring about beneficial reform in the law.

As currently envisioned the principal components of the Program include (1) the WTO Academy on Complex Litigation a simulation-based boot camp designed to take law students from the Sturm College of Law and other leading U.S. law schools through critical phases of a simulated class action case; (2) the WTO Public Event Series a set of high-profile public events addressing emerging issues in the field of complex litigation; and (3) the WTO Summit on Complex Litigation an invite-only convening of judges defense- and plaintiff-side practitioners general counsel and others intended to share best-in-class understandings relevant to the field of complex litigation.

Essential Functions

The successful candidate will be a nationally respected expert in the field of complex litigation a skilled legal educator and a highly visionary and skilled collaboration with the Dean other faculty members at the Sturm College of Law practitioners and judges the successful candidate would plan and lead the WTO Academy the WTO Public Event Series and the WTO addition to these responsibilities the candidate will also be expected to teach one course in the field of complex litigation likely (during the 2026-27 academic year) in the area of Torts.

This is a 12-month part-time appointment capable of being held alongside other compatible professional commitments that the Executive Director may wish to pursue. The successful candidate would receive an initial appointment for one calendar year with the ability to renew for a second and/or third year upon mutual agreement of the parties. The candidate would be expected to begin work on or before June 1 2026.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. degree (or its equivalent)
• Expertise in the field of complex litigation
• Prior experience teaching complex litigation in a law school setting
• The ability to engage leading experts in discussions of cutting-edge issues in the field

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
While the Universitys administrative offices are open Monday Friday 8:00 am 4:30 pm faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught service commitments and research agendas. The Universitys academic calendars are posted on the registrars website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 14 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $75000-$100000

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits including medical dental retirement paid time off tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.