Water law encompasses the legal doctrines governing our most precious natural resource. Some of its principles trace back thousands of years, while others are newly emerging in response to the challenges of the twenty-first century. The modern field combines traditional questions of access and allocation with emerging issues of resource management and sustainability.
The foundational Water Law course introduces students to private and public rights in water, interstate disputes over shared waters, water quality regulation, and cutting-edge issues such as PFAS contamination, direct potable reuse, and the water demands of data centers. Students grapple with difficult questions at the intersection of law, science, policy, and economics, exploring how society should balance development with resource protection. Related courses in environmental law, climate change, and land use planning, among others, pay particular attention to challenges and opportunities in the Great Lakes region.
Milwaukee is an ideal place to study water law. The region’s historical concentration of water-related industries has helped establish it as a global hub for water technology, innovation, and policy. Marquette Law School has been a leader in that effort, launching its water law curriculum in 2009 and expanding its commitment through the Water Law and Policy Initiative in 2015. The Initiative provides students with opportunities to engage in trailblazing research and writing projects focused on real-world water challenges, collaborate with practitioners, attend high-profile public events, and build connections across the university and throughout the broader water community. These experiences allow students not only to study water law, but also to help shape its future.
Our graduates pursue careers in private practice, government agencies, water technology companies, and nonprofit organizations. Whether advocating for clients, developing public policy, managing water resources, or addressing emerging environmental challenges, they leave Marquette prepared to lead.
Faculty
Full-Time Faculty:
Professor David Strifling, Director, Water Law and Policy Initiative
Professor Christine Chabot
Professor Sarah Fox
Professor Alex Lemann
Professor Kali Murray
Curriculum and Courses
Foundational Courses:
- Administrative Law
- Environmental Law
- Water Law
Other General Enrollment Courses:
- Land Use Planning
- Local Government Law
Seminar
- Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region
Workshops:
- Renewable Energy Law
Supervised Field Placements & Clinics: Midwest Environmental Advocates, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Related Experiences: Environmental Law Society, Intellectual Property Law Society, International Environmental Law - Giessen
Course descriptions can be found in the online Law School Bulletin.
Please note that not every course is taught each year.
Student Organizations and Activities
Environmental Law Society - The Environmental Law Society seeks to promote environmental activism in the Marquette Law School community by providing information on current environmental issues and cultivating relationships with environmental professionals in the greater Milwaukee area.
Registered Student Organizations contribute to the vibrant student community at Marquette University Law School. Scroll through our list of organizations to find the one that suits you best and if you are a current student, you can click on the links to get contact information.