Advocacy Competition Coach Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
 
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
 
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.
 

Department Summary

UNT Dallas College of Law is a public law school in downtown Dallas with a full-time day division and a part-time evening division. The College of Law’s goals are:

(1) Widening access to legal education for those who could be superb legal professionals but who cannot realistically access a legal education given factors including location, cost, and the current role of the LSAT in admission to and financing of law school.

(2) Providing an educational program focused on excellence in developing practice-related competencies, through a curriculum mapped to those competencies and using best instructional practices, including multiple formative and summative assessment throughout, engaged class design, and a spectrum of experiential education.

(3) Creating opportunity for our students by keeping tuition and debt low and producing graduates with high value and ability in multiple segments of the market for legal services.

(4) Becoming a national leader in advancing understanding of best legal education practices, of professional formation, and of the relationship between legal education and the evolving practice and business of law.

(5) Improving access to justice for underserved legal needs.

(6) serving as a valuable partner in civic engagement with the City of Dallas and the North Texas region.

Position Overview

Advocacy Coaches are a critical part of the College of Law’s learning community. Coaches are involved in curricular and co-curricular activities and programs relating to student learning and professional formation throughout law school.

The appointments will be as either Head Advocacy Coach or Assistant Advocacy Coach to coach a Moot Court or Mock Trial competition team in the 2026-2027 academic year. All competitions will likely be in person. At least one head coach is expected to travel with the teams. Assistant Coaches shall only travel with the team with express approval. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to UNT System policies.

Head coaches - $1,500 for each competition, no more than one competition per term.
Assistant coaches - $750 for each competition, no more than one competition per term.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree, superb professional qualifications, the ability to achieve excellence in guiding and mentoring law students, and a commitment to the goals and curricular method of UNT Dallas College of Law.
• All coaches must reside in the DFW area in order to facilitate regular practices.
• Head coaches must possess either:
  1) Five or more years of practice experience;
  2) Substantial and extensive trial, appellate, or competition coach experience, which is of such high quality so as to provide sufficient foundation for coaching in UNT Dallas College of Law’s advocacy program.
• Head coaches not meeting the five-year requirement must be approved by the Director of Advocacy Competitions.
• Assistant coaches must possess at least one or more years of practice experience and a demonstrated commitment to the education of UNT Dallas College of Law students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advocacy coaches need to be strong in communication; listening and articulating feedback.
• Relationship-building; building rapport and demonstrating empathy.
• Strategic planning, case prep, challenging decisions. 
• Deep subject knowledge, legal/policy understanding for debate/mock trial.
• Focusing on empowering individuals to find their voice, navigate systems, and develop self-advocacy skills through effective questioning and practice, aligning with principles of adult learning and empowerment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience coaching advocacy competition teams or competing in law school advocacy competitions at a high level is greatly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Lifting and moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting or standing.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

As required to meet the academic and competition schedule.

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.