The transition into academia from law school or legal practice is a significant and exciting shift in one's legal career. This transition, however, can also be one that presents numerous challenges. Preparing a syllabus and drafting lecture material can seem like a daunting task. Writing an academic article for the first time involves learning a new academic language. A new professor must learn how active to be in the operation of her university and profession. A new professor must also learn how to navigate university bureaucracy, balance demands upon time, and prioritize obligations. In order to succeed, most new faculty must be proficient in four areas: (1) research; (2) teaching; (3) service; and (4) networking. The parts of this article follow these four criteria. Part I explores how aspiring faculty can build or improve their research agenda, thus making their "curriculum vitae" attractive to academic employers. Part II examines the importance of teaching. Part III discusses the role of service to an institution of higher education and the academy. Part IV explains the importance of networking as a facilitator of employment. It is hoped that these insights will help the new professor successfully launch a career in a rewarding and collegial profession. (Contains 69 footnotes.)