Ins and Outs of Lateral Hiring
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 4 – 5:15 pm Eastern
This Workshop will provide an in-depth look at the ins and outs of the lateral hiring process at law schools. Our distinguished panelists bring a wealth of experience, whether as sitting deans involved in hiring decisions or as faculty members who have successfully navigated the lateral market—some on multiple occasions. The discussion will offer practical guidance and candid insights into every stage of the process.
Topics will include strategic considerations around timing, whether and how to express interest in a particular institution, the relative merits of direct applications versus participation in the FAR, and effective approaches to negotiating offers. Panelists will also address unwritten norms, common pitfalls, and what lateral candidates should know about institutional politics and faculty dynamics. This session is designed to demystify the process and equip participants with the information they need to successfully navigate the lateral hiring process.
Speakers
Alena Allen
Louisiana State University
Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Lisa Avalos
University of Maine
School of Law
Danielle Conway
Penn State Dickinson Law
Stephen W. Mazza
University of Kansas
School of Law
Shaakirrah R. Sanders
Penn State Dickinson Law
Michael Hunter Schwartz
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Privacy
Note: This webinar will be recorded. If you are interested but cannot attend, please register to ensure you receive the video and any materials later.
If you are concerned about privacy, we recommend that you change your Zoom display name to Anonymous before the webinar begins. Click here for instructions. We also encourage attendees to post questions anonymously in the Q&A function of Zoom rather than in the chat. We will make every effort to ensure that attendees of this webinar remain anonymous. The attendee list will not be shared outside AALS staff and panelists.