About the Consumer Law Clinic
Wisconsin laws safeguard every person’s right to basic financial security, especially when they are in debt. The Wisconsin Constitution says, “[T]he privilege of the debtor to enjoy the necessary comforts of life shall be recognized by wholesome laws, exempting a reasonable amount of property from seizure or sale for the payment of any debt or liability….” Art. I, § 17.
The Consumer Law Clinic:
- educates law students to become empathetic and effective lawyers;
- provides legal assistance to Wisconsin consumers, focusing on debt defense and garnishment protections; and
- works to increase access to the civil legal system for underrepresented Wisconsin residents.
Information for Students
Clinical Program Information
Consumer Law Clinic students explore how the legal system creates and sustains economic injustice. Specifically, the students:
practice in a collaborative, supportive, and dynamic team;- gain key professional skills such as interviewing, investigating facts, representing clients, communicating with a variety of audiences, and researching and applying statutes;
- reflect upon their journeys to becoming lawyers;
- become well-informed consumers themselves; and
- discuss contemporary issues in consumer protection.
The CLC will be offered for the fall and spring semesters, for a total of 6 experiential learning credits. Students must enroll for 3 credits for both semesters. The CLC does not satisfy the Law School Upper-level Writing Requirement.
Director Sarah Orr loves to talk with students about the CLC! Contact her at sarah.orr@wisc.edu.
CLC in the news
Student Testimonials
Supportive Learning Environment
"It's such a privilege to have the time and space to grow." - Susan
"The dynamic and supportive clinic environment empowers students." - Joshua
"I gained a sense of independence and confidence in my abilities." - Mary
"I regularly looked forward to clinic days because our work felt collaborative and meaningful." - Nate
Direct Client Interaction
"The CLC opened my eyes to a major human rights crisis [the American consumer debt crisis]...Any student who wants a deeper understanding of the challenges everyday people face should join the CLC." - Alex
"I gained invaluable experience balancing legal solutions and client goals informed by their circumstances, personal philosophies, and concepts of dignity." - Christian
"Consumer debt can have a ruinous impact on ordinary people's lives, and CLC students have an amazing opportunity to be their advocates." - Ned
"The experiences with clients 'transcend practice areas'." - Anna
"Balancing empathy and professionalism while discussing sensitive topics with a client is a fundamental lawyering skill, which can only effectively be built with real-world experience." - Nate
Skill Building
Skills students can gain by working in the Consumer Law Clinic:
- Empathy
- Interviewing
- Client counseling
- Researching and applying statutes and regulations
- Solving problems
- Working collaboratively as part of a team
- Working autonomously with appropriate support
- Communicating in a manner that meets legal and professional standards
- Prioritizing and managing multiple tasks
- Using legal practice technology
Where Do CLC Alumni Work After Graduation?
Law Firms
- Boardman Clark (Madison)
- Burke, Warren, McKay and Serritella PC (Chicago)
- Carlson Black O'Callaghan & Battenburg LLP (Madison)
- Dorsey & Whitney (Minneapolis)
- Foley & Lardner LLP (Chicago, Madison)
- Godfrey & Kahn SC (Madison)
- Husch Blackwell LLP (Madison)
- Lichtsinn & Haensel SC (Milwaukee)
- Michael Best & Friedrich LLP (Milwaukee)
- Quarles & Brady LLP (Milwaukee)
- Reinhart Boerner Van Duren SC (Madison)
- Stafford Rosenbaum LLP (Madison)
- Turke & Steil LLP (Madison)
- von Briesen & Roper SC (Madison, Milwaukee)
- Weld Riley SC (Eau Claire)
Corporate and Non-profit
- Deloitte Tax LLP (Chicago)
- Summit Credit Union (Madison)
- FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority)(Chicago)
Legal Services
- Bronx Legal Services (New York, NY)
- Legal Action of Wisconsin (Madison)
Government and Higher Education
- Chicago Transit Authority (Chicago)(2 students)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Washington, DC)(2L summer)
- Internal Revenue Service International Fraud Division (Washington, DC)
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Milwaukee)
- Portage County District Attorney's Office (Stevens Point)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (Washington, DC)
- St. Croix County Corporation Counsel's Office (Hudson)
- Texas Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division (Austin, TX)
- U.S. Department of Justice Trustee Program (Chicago, Madison (2L summer))
- U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- University of Wisconsin Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (Madison)
- Wisconsin Department of Justice Consumer Protection & Antitrust Unit (Madison)(2L summer)
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Madison)
- Wisconsin Supreme Court, Office of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson (Madison)
Information for the Public
Scope of the Consumer Law Clinic
The Consumer Law Clinic (CLC) offers legal information and services from trained law students who are supervised by a consumer protection lawyer. The CLC is located in Madison, Wisconsin in Dane County.
The CLC focuses on these areas of consumer protection:
- consumer debt defense
- earnings/wage garnishment
- unfair debt collection
During the spring 2025 semester, our live call-in hours are:
- Tuesdays, 3 - 5pm
- Wednesdays, 10 am - 1 pm
- Thursdays, 1 - 4pm
Individuals seeking services can call 608-263-6283. If you call during these times and hear a busy signal, please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, brief description of your legal issue, and the best days and times to call you back. We will return your call as soon as possible. You may also click on the red box below to request a return call.
Important: The CLC does not provide information, assistance, or referrals for bankruptcy.
Additional Legal Resources
If your legal problem does not fit into one of the three categories listed in the above section, the Consumer Law Clinic cannot handle your matter.
Please contact the State Bar of Wisconsin at (800) 362-9082, (608) 257-4666, or online at https://www.wisbar.org for referrals to other legal services providers.
Other options for legal resources:
- consult Wisconsin Free Legal Answers online at https://wi.freelegalanswers.org
- reach out to the Wisconsin State Law Library
- review the Directory of Self-Help Legal Resources in Wisconsin (PDF) from the Wisconsin Court System's Self-help law center
