As we are all aware, these past couple of weeks have been a time of historic change for the state of Wisconsin.\u00a0 The debate surrounding the changes proposed by Governor Walker in the Budget Repair Bill has been amazing for me to witness.\u00a0 Rather than give my personal opinions regarding the content of the bill, I thought I would share of the ancillary thoughts that have run through my head because of the current political times.<\/p>\n
First, these changes have occurred during a great time in my life. \u00a0I consider myself lucky to be able to observe such historic legislative action while enrolled here at Marquette.\u00a0 We as law students are unique within the political discussion because we have access to such great legal minds.\u00a0 For example, two weeks ago Professor Paul Secunda spoke to students about the then-proposed Budget Repair Bill.\u00a0 Professor Secunda reserved time to answer very well thought-out and informed student questions regarding things like: the potential legal avenues of those opposed to the bill, the effect that Wisconsin\u2019s labor reforms could have on a national level, and what specific items within the bill actually mean to citizens and public employees within the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The presentation by Professor Secunda is just one of the many opportunities we have as legal scholars to advance our personal knowledge on very important political issues.\u00a0 This Marquette University Faculty Blog has provided a forum for other Professors and local attorneys to provide their opinions and thoughts regarding the reform. \u00a0These forums provide an outlet for legal thinkers as well as a resource for students like me.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, while the bill has been passed (although currently subject to a temporary restraining order) by the Legislature, discussions regarding the changes have only just begun.\u00a0 As a participant in this emotional and heated discussion, I consider myself lucky to have been in law school during these changes.<\/p>\n
Second, the changes to public sector labor law have made me think back to some of the statements made by Justice Antonin Scalia during his presentation at Marquette in the fall.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Justice Scalia\u2019s address to the students stressed the need for legal education to be well-rounded.\u00a0 He suggested that students stick with the \u201ccore\u201d classes of the curriculum.\u00a0 While his advice holds true in many respects, the changes in Wisconsin\u2019s labor law make me appreciate how one\u2019s mastery within a specific area of law can be just as beneficial, especially in the tough job market faced by students today.<\/p>\n
We as law students hear advice all the time about how we have to make ourselves \u201cmarketable\u201d to prospective employers.\u00a0 When I entered law school, it was suggested that students could really help themselves out if they would spend time immersing themselves in the changes to national health care.\u00a0 Now as I exit law school, I hear the same advice from attorneys within the community regarding the changes to Wisconsin\u2019s labor laws.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marquette does a great job of providing students the opportunity to study many facets of the law.\u00a0 Professors provide their time to work with students as faculty advisors to numerous student-led legal societies.\u00a0 These societies then work in connection with the school to create a network within the local community, helping students to gain employment during and after school.\u00a0 While a general legal education is ultimately a great goal, in this bleak legal market, students can also separate themselves by availing themselves of the many specialized areas of the law available both through Marquette\u2019s curriculum and through extracurricular organizations.<\/p>\n
Finally, when able to step back and observe neutrally, this time of political activity has been refreshing for me personally.\u00a0 As a younger person, I have never lived through, or been so acutely aware of, such a politically charged time.\u00a0 It has been a moving and an eye-opening experience to watch individuals band together to support a commonly held belief.\u00a0 To live through such a period is energizing to me personally as I enter the legal community because it is apparent to me that we, as law students, will play an integral role in the next step, whatever that may be, of Wisconsin\u2019s historic legal change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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