Marquette University Law School

Marquette University Law School
Name	Marquette University Law School
Established	1892
Type	Private
Parent	Marquette University
City	Milwaukee
State	Wisconsin
Country	United States

Contents

Marquette University Law School is a private Catholic law school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, affiliated with Marquette University. It offers Juris Doctor and advanced law degrees and participates in regional and national legal networks, engaging with institutions such as American Bar Association, Association of American Law Schools, Federal Bar Association, Wisconsin State Bar, and National Association of Legal Professionals. The school occupies an urban campus near landmarks like the Milwaukee River, Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons, Milwaukee Art Museum, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and interacts with courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

History

Founded in 1892, the law school developed during the Progressive Era alongside institutions like University of Wisconsin Law School, Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Columbia Law School. Early growth paralleled municipal and state legal reforms tied to figures such as Robert M. La Follette Sr. and events like the Wisconsin Idea. Through the 20th century, the school expanded facilities contemporaneously with legal developments influenced by the New Deal, Civil Rights Movement, and decisions of the United States Supreme Court such as Brown v. Board of Education. Alumni and faculty have engaged with national institutions including the United States Department of Justice, Federal Communications Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and state offices like the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The law building resides on Marquette's downtown campus near Buckingham Fountain-era urban renewal corridors and adjacent to Milwaukee civic institutions including the Milwaukee County Courthouse and Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. Facilities include moot courtrooms modeled after venues like the Supreme Court of the United States courtroom and lecture halls comparable to those at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and University of Chicago Law School. Research resources incorporate holdings that complement collections at the Harvard Law School Library, Library of Congress, Wisconsin Historical Society, and relationships with archives such as the Catholic University of America archives.

The curriculum emphasizes doctrinal courses and experiential learning, integrating subjects like civil procedure with case law from Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, constitutional law informed by Marbury v. Madison and Roe v. Wade, and courses referencing statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Joint and advanced degrees connect with departments and entities such as Marquette University Law School Graduate Programs, Public Policy Institute, and external programs at Georgetown University Law Center and University of Minnesota Law School. Specialized tracks include health law engaging with the Food and Drug Administration, environmental law reflecting statutes like the Clean Water Act, and transactional law aligning with practices at firms like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Latham & Watkins, and regional firms such as Quarles & Brady.

Admissions consider LSAT scores and credentials from schools including University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, Boston College, and Indiana University Bloomington. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and participates in assessments appearing in publications similar to U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, Above the Law, and metrics used by organizations such as the National Jurist. Applicants often compare placement with regional peers like University of Wisconsin Law School, Marquette University's neighboring programs, and national benchmarks set by Stanford Law School and Yale Law School.

Student governance and extracurricular life include participation in student groups modeled after organizations such as the American Constitution Society, Federalist Society, National Lawyers Guild, American Bar Association Law Student Division, and service groups like Habitat for Humanity. Competitions include interscholastic teams for Moot court competitions and advocacy tournaments associated with entities like the National Moot Court Competition, ABA Client Counseling Competition, and national networks including the National Trial Competition. Cultural and professional groups mirror national counterparts such as the Hispanic National Bar Association, National Black Law Students Association, and Asian Pacific American Law Student Association.

Clinical offerings train students in clinics that handle matters before agencies like the Social Security Administration and courts such as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Centers and institutes collaborate with external partners like the American Civil Liberties Union, Legal Services Corporation, Department of Health and Human Services, and state offices including the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Clinical placement opportunities reflect models at institutions such as the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, Yale Law School clinics, and public interest programs funded by entities like the Open Society Foundations and MacArthur Foundation.

Graduates pursue careers at law firms including national practices like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, regional firms such as Quarles & Brady, and public sector positions in offices like the United States Attorney's Office and the Wisconsin Attorney General's office. Alumni have served as judges on courts including the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, as legislators in bodies like the United States House of Representatives and Wisconsin Legislature, and as executives in organizations such as AIG and Johnson Controls. Employment statistics align with reports used by American Bar Association disclosures and career services models similar to those at Columbia Law School and New York University School of Law.

Category:Law schools in Wisconsin