Westerfield Fellowship Program

About the Program

The Westerfield Fellowship Program is designed for individuals pursuing a career in law teaching who also need time to devote to scholarly writing and publication. Fellows are responsible for teaching Lawyering I (Legal Research & Writing) each fall and Lawyering II (Appellate Advocacy) each spring to approximately 40 first-year law students. Fellows work under the guidance of an experienced director with whom they coordinate the content and pace of the courses. Fellows also teach their own seminars, usually in their area of research.

To foster their development as scholars and teachers, fellows are assigned faculty mentors who teach and write in the fellows’ areas of interest. They also have the support of teaching assistants, research assistants, and library research staff. Fellows are encouraged to participate in scholarly workshops and conferences, and they are provided funds to do so. Past fellows have gone on to secure tenure-track teaching positions at law schools across the United States.

The Westerfield Fellowship Program is named in honor of Louis Westerfield, who served as dean of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law from 1990-1994. The first African American dean of the law school, he is remembered for promoting diversity and excellence in legal education.

How to Apply

Loyola's Faculty Appointments Committee reviews Westerfield Fellowship Program applications and schedules interviews on a rolling basis during the academic year. Therefore, the best time to apply for a position in the Westerfield Fellowship Program is in August or September of the year before the desired fellowship would begin. However, the Committee will accept new applications until all positions for the following academic year are filled. 

All applications must be submitted electronically. In addition to the basic application form, an application should include a letter of interest, the applicant's resume or CV, the applicant's law school transcript, and a list of at least three professional references. An applicant with previous or current teaching experience may also submit teaching evaluations from the previous or current position(s). 

To submit an application, please click the button below, locate the listing labeled "Westerfield Fellow," and click the "Apply" button to create an account and apply.

Apply to the Fellowship