Marquette University Law School is delighted to welcome Professor Karen Sandrik—a nationally recognized scholar, gifted teacher, and former elite athlete—who brings a rare blend of intellectual depth, real-world experience, and infectious energy to Eckstein Hall. She arrives at Marquette Law from Willamette University College of Law, where she held the Maynard & Bertha Wilson Professorship and served as associate dean for faculty, and fresh from her experience as a U.S. Global Fulbright Scholar in Slovakia this past spring. With a career marked by curiosity, collaboration, and impact, she arrives at Marquette ready to inspire the next generation of lawyers and leaders.
An expert at the intersection of patent law and commercial law, Professor Sandrik’s research explores how contractual frameworks shape innovation and patent policy, as well as the formation and success of collaborative relationships, including public-private partnerships. Her work has been published in leading journals, including the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, SMU Law Review, and, most recently, the Texas A&M Law Review, where her article examines the contractual shortcomings in the NIH-Moderna COVID-19 vaccine partnership and suggests a path forward. She brings a comparative and forward-thinking lens to innovation law—bridging complex legal theory with real-world application.
At Marquette Law, she will teach Contracts, Patents, and other commercial law and business law courses, and she’s especially excited to incorporate simulation-based learning, case studies, and client-centered projects into her teaching. This summer she is teaching Business Associations. Students can expect a classroom environment that is both intellectually rigorous and engaging—rooted in her legal experience at Troutman Pepper Locke and her background as a former member of the Women’s U-23 U.S. National Soccer Team. Her energetic, team-oriented approach helps students develop the practical skills and professional confidence they need for success.
Professor Sandrik is candid about the challenges of law school and often shares the advice that helped her thrive in law school: Treat law school like a job—work hard, stay focused, and protect your margins. “I tell students to picture a piece of lined notebook paper—you need margins on the page so things don’t become overwhelming. The same goes for your life. Whether your margin is a morning workout, a favorite show, or time with friends, protect it. That space is what helps you show up as your best self,” she says. “Law school is demanding, but you don’t have to lose yourself in it. You can work hard and still be a whole person.”
For Professor Sandrik, joining Marquette is about more than a professional opportunity—it's a personal one, too. “Milwaukee offers the right mix of community, schools, and city life for my family, and Marquette Law’s focus on student-centered education and public service aligns with my values,” she shared. Whether she’s guiding students through doctrinal complexities, biking the Oak Leaf Trail with her husband and son, or welcoming conversations with alumni and colleagues, Professor Sandrik is already building strong connections at the Law School and in the community.