Certificate in Litigation

Regardless of the legal practice area in which you engage after graduation, it’s tremendously important to be able to communicate effectively, think critically and quickly, understand your client's position, and anticipate opposing counsel’s position. Completing the requirements for the litigation certificate honed my abilities in all those areas.

It can be difficult to stand out in this job market. Being able to demonstrate that I’d taken every opportunity available to me to become a confident oral advocate, a skilled negotiator, and a proficient legal writer was reason enough to pursue the certificate.

Unlike undergraduate education, most legal education is general in nature. There are no majors or minors. In an ideal situation, students have an opportunity to select from a wide range of courses and practical experiences.

While such choice is good, a law degree requires serious and sustained commitment. Recognizing that many students want to focus their commitment toward developing knowledge, skills and experience in litigation, Marquette University Law School created a certificate in this area.

Earned as part of the J.D. degree, the Certificate in Litigation’s curriculum systematically directs students to the courses, skills, and experiential learning opportunities needed to excel in this area of the law. Further, when that certificate is on a resume, it proves to future employers a commitment to and competence in the discipline.

Building on its long history of educating practice-ready lawyers, Marquette Law School’s Certificate in Litigation blends knowledge of legal doctrine, rules, and policy with the development of skills essential to effective client representation.

Mentored by faculty who are nationally known as expert litigators, students gain important training in courtroom advocacy – as well as the equally critical pretrial stages. They write briefs, argue motions, and present testimony in simulated practice settings. And they engage in co-curricular activities including clinics; internships in state and federal courts, law firms, and government agencies; and peer competitions.

For decades Marquette has trained outstanding trial attorneys, distinguished appellate lawyers, and scores of leading trial and appellate judges. Today’s students have the opportunity to capitalize on that success by pursuing the Certificate in Litigation.

Litigation Certificate Requirements

Return to the Litigation Program