History of Litigation Teaching

Marquette Law School has a rich history in litigation. During the spring semester, Marquette Law School sponsors the Hallows lecture. The lecture is named after Justice E. Harold Hallows. Justice Hallows was appointed to the faculty in 1930 after he received his law degree from University of Chicago Law School. He taught at the law school for 28 years while he also practiced law in Milwaukee. He left law teaching when he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1958. As a professor, Justice Hallows exemplified the hallmark or tradition of Marquette legal education that started when the law school was founded in 1892. During the early years, the Marquette faculty consisted primarily of part-time faculty members who taught classes early in the morning or in the late afternoons while they pursued fulltime practice or served on the bench. Justice Hallows is remembered for teaching Equity I and II although he taught other courses - often 3 per semester. In "Tribute to E. Harold Hallows," Chief Justice Horace W. Wilkie wrote:

"Marquette lawyer-teachers" included three "other distinguished justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Justice Franz Eschweiler, Chief Justice Oscar M. Fritz, [and] Justice Roland J. Steinle…" (In Memoriam Chief Justice E. Harold Hallows, 69 Wis.2d lv.) Along with his work in juvenile court, Justice Eschweiler taught at Marquette University Law School for 20 years, and he taught Torts. Marquette Law School: The First Twenty Years," 74 Marq. L. Rev. 379, 380 & 382 (1990-1991.)) It was said at Justice Eschweiler's memorial that "[h]is considerate treatment and encouragement of his students, and his sincere parental interest in their welfare, in class and life after, resulted in many treasured friendships." Chief Justice Fritz attended Marquette Law School, but graduated from University of Wisconsin Law School in 1901. Justice Roland J. Steinle graduated from Marquette Law School in 1920.

The legacy of those early teachers has been passed down. Professor James. D. Ghiardi graduated from MULS in 1942 and joined the faculty as a full-time member in 1946. He in turn taught Professors Kircher, Hammer and Geske as well as a host of other students who have gone on to become prominent litigators and judges.