Law is the backbone of any society. It sets the rules that protect individual rights, maintain order, and ensure justice is served. Lawyers play a crucial role in interpreting and applying the law, guiding businesses, representing clients, and shaping policies that affect everyday life. Because of this, choosing to study law is more than just earning a degree; it is committing to a profession that can make a real impact on people and communities.
When it comes to becoming a lawyer, the law school you attend matters. The right school not only teaches you legal theory but also equips you with practical skills, hands-on experience, and connections that can shape your entire career. Your choice can influence the types of cases you work on, the industries you enter, and the opportunities available to you after graduation.
Wisconsin offers students strong options for legal education. The state combines high-quality law programs with access to courts, law firms, government offices, and a supportive legal community. Studying law here allows students to gain real-world experience while building professional networks that can open doors to employment locally or nationally.
In this article, we will explore the top law schools in Wisconsin, giving you a detailed look at their programs, practical training opportunities, and employment prospects. You will also find guidance on what to consider before making your choice, so you can select the school that best fits your goals.
Best Law Schools in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has many colleges and universities, but when it comes to law schools, only two stand out as the top options for serious legal training. These are the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison and Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee. Read on to see what they offer and why they stand out.
1. University of Wisconsin Law School (UW Law — Madison)
At UW Law, the J.D. (law degree) program is built around a “law‑in‑action” approach, meaning the school teaches not only the law as written in statutes, but also how law works in real life — how laws shape society and how legal practice differs from theory.
• What you study in your first year
In the first (1L) year, you take the core courses: contracts, civil procedure, criminal law & procedure, property, torts, constitutional law — plus two semesters of a legal writing and analysis course (Legal Analysis, Advocacy & Writing I and II). This gives you strong grounding in critical legal principles and skills — reading cases, interpreting statutes, crafting legal arguments, legal writing, and reasoning.
• What happens in years two and three (2L & 3L)
After the first year, students have much more flexibility. You choose from many elective courses depending on what area of law interests you. For example, there are “concentrations” — areas of study such as business law, criminal law, real estate law, family law, employment or labor law, estate planning, international/comparative law, and more. If you want, you can also design a more custom curriculum by combining electives; this makes the program flexible for different career ambitions.
• Hands‑on experience and practical training
True to its “law‑in‑action” approach, UW Law offers many opportunities for students to gain real-world legal experience: clinics, externships, lawyering‑skills courses, pro bono work, mock trials, and moot court options. So by the time you graduate, you are not just familiar with legal theory — you have practiced legal research, writing, and advocacy, and often worked on real or simulated cases under supervision.
• Flexibility & extra options
If you want, the school allows you to apply up to six credits of non‑law courses (like a relevant graduate‑level or language course, with a good grade) toward the 90 credits needed for the J.D. This can help if you want to broaden your education beyond strict law courses.
Also, the school offers dual‑degree options. For example, you can combine your J.D. with an MBA, allowing you to study business and law together, useful if you’re interested in corporate, business, or transactional law.
• What they aim for you to become
By the end, UW Law expects that you will understand both the “book side” and “real side” of law: you know substantive and procedural law, you can analyze, research, write, and argue well, you’re ready to handle legal and ethical dilemmas, and you have practical skills to function as a lawyer in real settings.
2. Marquette University Law School (Milwaukee)
Marquette Law School also offers a full J.D. program, with a strong mix of core legal training, practical experience, and flexibility.
• First‑year core curriculum
In the 1L year, students study the essential law fundamentals: civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, property, torts, legal analysis & writing, and more.
This ensures that everyone who graduates has a robust grounding in the main fields of law.
• Upper‑year requirements and electives
Beyond the first year, students must take other required courses like evidence, “the law governing lawyers” (professional ethics/regulation), trusts & estates, and also complete electives.
Marquette lets you pick electives based on your interest, for instance, commercial law, criminal law, family law, intellectual property, litigation, alternative dispute resolution, sports law, etc.
• Practical training and flexible study options
A strong point at Marquette is hands‑on training: they require a certain number of credits (minimum six credits) in experiential courses. These may include clinics (real‑client work), supervised field placements, judicial internships (trial or appellate), workshops, or legal research courses.
Also, Marquette offers a part‑time option for those who cannot commit full-time (for example, because of work or personal commitments). In that track, students spread their J.D. over more semesters (can take up to six years), though requirements remain the same.
• Additional opportunities — joint degrees & special paths
If you want more than just a J.D., Marquette offers a combined J.D./M.B.A. (law + business) program. That’s useful if you want to work in business law, corporate matters, or industries where business and law mix.
Also, for qualified undergraduates, there is a “Pre‑law Scholars Program” through which students can finish undergraduate and law degrees in six years instead of the usual seven.
• What Marquette aims to give you
Marquette promises its students a solid base in legal theory, combined with real‑world exposure. With clinics, internships, and practical training, graduates leave not just with knowledge, but with some real legal experience. The flexibility, part‑time option, and joint degrees make Marquette attractive for non‑traditional students or those balancing work and study. And because the electives are broad, you can shape your law degree to match your interests, whether that’s business, litigation, IP, sports, family, or criminal law.
FAQs
1. What kind of legal jobs can I get after graduating in Wisconsin?
Graduates from the top two law schools, the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, have access to a wide range of legal careers in Wisconsin. Many enter private law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or public interest organizations.
Others pursue judicial clerkships or specialize in areas like family law, criminal law, business law, or intellectual property. Both schools provide strong support through career services, networking events, and alumni connections to help students secure jobs locally or nationally.
2. Does studying in Wisconsin help me find work in the state?
Yes. Both law schools are located in major legal hubs, Madison and Milwaukee, giving students direct access to courts, law offices, and public institutions. This proximity allows students to gain practical experience through internships, clinics, and externships, which often lead to employment opportunities after graduation. The schools’ strong local reputations also make employers in Wisconsin familiar with their graduates, giving them an advantage in the state’s job market.
3. Are there specific areas of law that are in demand in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a steady demand for lawyers in corporate law, litigation, family law, criminal defense, estate planning, and government service. Additionally, there are opportunities in regulatory law, environmental law, and health law, especially given the state’s mix of public agencies, corporations, and nonprofits. Both law schools allow students to focus on these areas through electives, clinics, and specialized programs, helping them prepare for high-demand fields.
4. How do the law schools help with practical experience for employment?
Both the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School emphasize experiential learning. Students can join legal clinics, participate in pro bono work, take part in judicial externships, or engage in simulated trial and appellate projects. This hands-on experience helps students build skills, gain confidence, and make connections that are valuable when seeking jobs in Wisconsin or elsewhere.
5. Can I stay in Wisconsin after graduation to work?
Absolutely. Most graduates from these schools remain in Wisconsin because the schools are well-connected to local law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Whether you choose private practice, public service, or corporate roles, the combination of practical experience, local networking, and a strong school reputation makes it easier to start your legal career in Wisconsin.