University of Wisconsin Law School Law in Action A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends Winter 2009 Wisconsin Named No. 2 Law School in Practical Training BRIAN EBNER (3) he University of Wisconsin grow as professionals.” Law School took the Clinical education has become No. 2 spot behind Yale increasingly important over the past TLaw School as Best in Practical few years as studies on legal educa- Training in a study published by tion call for more of these learning the National Jurist magazine in its opportunities and student demand Fall 2008 issue. Law schools were for relevant, hands-on training ranked based on the number of increases. A recent influential report available clinical positions per full- by the Carnegie Foundation for the time student at each law school Advancement of Teaching, which approved by the American Bar critiqued legal education in the Association. Wisconsin tied with United States and Canada, empha- Drake University Law School. sized the importance of clinical “We’re delighted to be recog- experiences in educating future nized for our commitment to this lawyers. Legal clinics, like medical significant aspect of legal education,” internships for future doctors, offer notes Law School Dean Kenneth students who are preparing for the B. Davis, Jr. “We were a leader in legal profession an opportunity clinical education right from the to develop the necessary skills in start, and we understand the im- a closely supervised setting. Clin- portance of combining substantive ics prepare students to work with Students in UW Law School clinical programs law classes with attorney-supervised provide legal services to real clients with clients, be problem solvers, and deal support and close supervision from faculty. clinical experiences to help students with complex ethical issues. Continued on page 11 Alumni Listening Sessions Provide Valuable Feedback Alumni and community leaders in of intensified competition for na- initiative with a commitment to five Wisconsin cities and in several tional recognition, for top students, excellence that would enhance the major cities across the country par- and for outstanding faculty. stature and reputation of the UW ticipated over the past six months Great students, great faculty, Law School. Attendees supported in listening sessions with Dean and a great curriculum were the taking action to retain the best Kenneth B. Davis, Jr. The sessions unifying themes at the Listening faculty, motivate faculty produc- were organized to gather informa- Sessions. Dean Davis presented tivity, renew the curriculum, and tion, elicit feedback, and identify his thoughts about change to each recruit the best students. There was several action areas that will consti- group and invited feedback. Despite also support for strengthening the tute the Law School’s next steps in the differences in locale, there was business law curriculum and for positioning itself in an atmosphere broad and strong support for an expanding skill-based training to all Continued on page 3 DEAN’S MESSAGE “Back When I Was in Law School…” “We are one of the schools that early on made clinical education a significant part of our educational program, a decision that is important both in our history and for our future.” clinical education a significant part and skills, including how to work of our educational program, a deci- with clients, investigate facts, iden- sion that is important both in our tify the theory of a case, negotiate ANDY MANIS history and for our future. settlements, and do many of the For those of you who par- things that real lawyers do; and the One thing I’ve learned as Dean is ticipated in our clinical program in way clinics provide students with that we each view the UW Law the past, today’s experience would an opportunity to practice a high School through the lens of our own seem very familiar to you, but like degree of ethical, competent profes- time and experience. As a result, I other aspects of the curriculum, it sionalism and develop a lifelong sometimes find myself discussing is not the same as it was. Clinical habit of reflective lawyering. today’s UW Law School in terms education has become increasingly But perhaps the most compel- of how it was ten, twenty-five, or sophisticated and there are broader ling aspect of a clinical experience is thirty-five years ago. While much offerings. Moreover, not only has that it is real — an opportunity for about legal education is the same, clinical education been recognized students to work with real clients there also is much that has changed. for its important role in the educa- with real problems. And there is no One example is our clinical tion of future lawyers, but it is also greater feeling for a student attorney education program, which recently in high demand among prospec- than helping a client accomplish was recognized as among the “best tive students, and a strong clinical something that would have been in practical training” by the program is virtually a requirement impossible without the clinic’s legal National Jurist magazine. There are for law schools that want the best assistance. This is a feeling that roughly two hundred law schools applicants. resonated with our clinical students in the U.S. today, many of them What is it that makes the clini- more than a quarter century ago, very good, but only a dozen or so cal experience so significant for cur- and it is one of the aspects of our that can truly claim a distinct and rent students and so important in clinical education program that, well recognized niche in shaping the decision of applicants? Several unlike many other things, hasn’t the course of legal education and factors no doubt are important: the changed one bit. scholarship over the years. We are usefulness of clinics to expand upon —Dean Kenneth B. Davis, Jr. one of these few. We are also one and synthesize classroom learning; of the schools that early on made the way clinics develop confidence Law in Action is the semiannual newsletter Assistant Editor: Dianne Sattinger of the University of Wisconsin Law School, [email protected] 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1399. Contact for Class Notes: Alumni Director Law in Action is funded by private donations. Jini Rabas, [email protected] Dean of the Law School: Contact for gifts information: Alumni Director Kenneth B. Davis, Jr. Jini Rabas, [email protected] Editor: Assistant Dean Design: Colleen O’Hara Carolyn Lazar Butler Wisconsin Alumni Association [email protected] 2 Law in Action NEWS Law School Benefits from WARF’s IP Expertise UW Law School students and The Law School, with sup- October on Intellectual Property faculty are benefiting from the port from a grant from the Ewing (IP) Management with Nanjing Law School’s increasing involve- Marion Kauffman Foundation, is University in Nanjing, China. The ment with the Wisconsin Alumni partnering with WARF to offer a program featured speakers from Research Foundation (WARF) and new student education initiative Nanjing University, WARF and WARF’s expertise in intellectual in entrepreneurial studies, with an the UW Law School, including property and entrepreneurship emphasis on the technology transfer professors John Ohnesorge, Pilar issues, thanks in large part to the process (licensing agreements, joint Ossorio, Shubha Ghosh, and Allison efforts of WARF’s Managing ventures, partnerships, and other Christians from the Law School. Director Carl Gulbrandsen ’81 and methods to share both the risks and These opportunities for students his colleagues. rewards of bringing new technolo- and faculty to work alongside the ex- WARF, founded in 1925, gies to market). The new program, perts at WARF, as well as with legal supports scientific research at the which is scheduled to begin in the and business professionals involved University of Wisconsin-Madison fall of 2009, responds to a growing with intellectual property issues, will by moving inventions arising from student interest in intellectual prop- help law students gain the skills that the university’s laboratories to erty, entrepreneurial studies, bio- will be needed by high-tech busi- the marketplace. As the technol- technology, and hands-on learning nesses in the twenty-first century. ogy transfer organization for the experiences in business transactions. The partnership will also connect the university, WARF is at the center of In another venture with Law School faculty with scientists a legal practice area that is growing WARF, the Law School’s East and other professionals to build a both in popularity and in prestige. Asian Legal Studies Center and stronger interdisciplinary commu- WARF held a two-day program in nity in an entrepreneurial climate. Listening continued from page 1 Professor Charo Joins Obama Transition Team areas of teaching. Alumni expressed UW Law School Professor R. Alta Administration in order to ensure a the desire to be more involved with Charo, a nationally prominent well-informed and smooth transi- the Law School faculty and with authority on bioethics, was named tion. She expressed appreciation one another. by President-elect Barack Obama to her Law School colleagues for “Our commitment to excellence to the Transition Team he formed helping her to make a rapid change will be the centerpiece of our strategic immediately following his election in plans. initiative,” explained Dean Davis in in November. Charo is the Warren P. discussing his view of the next step Charo had worked on issues Knowles Professor of Law & Bio- in setting the Law School’s priorities. surrounding science and health ethics at the Law School and has a “We are looking at the future of the policy for Obama’s pre-transition joint appointment with the School Law School, and we know that we team from mid-September to early of Medicine and Public Health in must make smart choices and care- November.