In a recent paper, Professor Emily Zimmerman considers whether law professors should have a "continuing practice experience" requirement similar to the continuing legal education (CLE) requirement imposed on practicing attorneys.

In her paper, Zimmerman proposes that requiring law professors to maintain a certain amount of hours actually practicing law, might benefit law students and further bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

The Law School Cafe, a blog which focuses on reshaping legal education, praised Zimmerman's paper, noting that Zimmerman "offers a thoughtful suggestion for cultivating an ongoing connection between law schools and law practice."  

Zimmerman conducts empirical research to assess strengths and weaknesses in legal pedagogy.  She has given presentations at numerous regional, national and international conferences, including a seminar on teaching legal methods in Pidgirtsi, Ukraine for the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, a conference on the pedagogy of legal writing in Nairobi, Kenya and a conference on global legal skills in Monterrey, Mexico.