Public Service (pub' lik sur' vis) n.
An act of assistance or benefit to the community or people as a whole.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the lowly and the poor; from the hand of the wicked deliver them. Psalm 82
If we are to keep democracy, there must be a commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice. Justice Learned Hand
I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay any person's cause for lucre or malice. So help me God. Wisconsin Attorney's Oath of Office: SCR 40.15.
An applicant for bar admission shall establish good moral character and fitness to practice law. Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 40.06
A lawyer should render public interest legal service. A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations, by service in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession, and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means. Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:6.1
Marquette Law School and the Pursuit of Justice
Marquette strives to develop men and women who will dedicate their lives to the service of others, actively entering into the struggle for a more just society. We expect all members of the Marquette community, whatever their faith tradition, to give concrete expression to their beliefs by giving of themselves in service to those in need. fr. Marquette University's Mission Statement
The promotion of justice and faith through service is an ideal at the center of Marquette's mission as a Catholic, Jesuit university. Inspired by this mission, and our Jesuit heritage, the Law School has a special duty to serve the local community through voluntary legal service and other charitable actions.
Indeed the promotion of justice demands that we imbue Marquette legal education with the principles of fair and equal representation, leadership in the community, and service on behalf of the afflicted and destitute. We do so not only through our pedagogy, but also through our example and support of those who labor to meld the rule of law with justice and mercy. Jesuit Superior General Pedro Arupe noted the confluence of justice and Jesuit legal education when he noted: "Participation in the promotion of justice and the liberation of the oppressed is a constitutive dimension of the Christian mission."
Marquette Law School has long been attuned to the necessity to reconcile its mission within a Jesuit University with its dedication to develop excellent legal practitioners regardless of faith tradition or motivation. Several past deans have written about the distinctiveness of the Marquette Lawyer, the important relationship between Marquette University and its Law School, and the unique contribution the Law School can make to the local community. Most notably, the late dean Howard B. Eisenberg (1995-2002) witnessed to the lawyer's duty to serve the least advantaged. Dean Eisenberg's writings emphasize the importance for lawyers to provide voluntary legal service and himself was widely recognized for his extensive pro bono work in criminal defense.
Office of Public Service
Today, Marquette University Law School is more extensively engaged in public service than at any time in its cherished history. Through teaching, scholarship, pro bono service, community outreach, convening, public policy debate, and active discussion of Jesuit values, the Law School seeks to promote a legal culture defined by excellence in the service of justice. In light of this goal, Dean Joseph D. Kearney established the Office of Public Service to coordinate the Law School's efforts promoting voluntary service, advancing the common good in the local community, facilitating legal scholarship regarding vulnerable populations, and assisting students interested in pursuing public service careers. This Office has embraced each of these responsibilities and serves as a center-point for the Law School's broad commitment to public service. View the many other pages on this website for more information about public service opportunities, conferences, and curriculum and let us all dedicate ourselves to Justice Hand's exhortation: "Thou shalt not ration justice!"
