Abby Chase
Abby Chase

The Wisconsin Law Review will mark 100 years of legal scholarship with a special online symposium, “Wisconsin's Intellectual History and Traditions,” on Oct. 22 and 23.

Abby Chase, co-editor of the symposium with Connor Clegg, says the event will examine the University of Wisconsin Law School’s enduring impact in five areas of legal study: critical race theory; law and development; contract theory; clinical legal education; and constitutionalism.

Chase, a third-year UW Law student, took time to answer some questions about the significance of this year’s event.

What considerations went into planning a centennial Wisconsin Law Review symposium?

"This symposium is special not only because it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin Law Review, but also because it is the first Wisconsin Law Review Symposium to take place virtually. Given the unique circumstances at play, we really wanted to make this an event for everyone to enjoy. We intentionally selected divergent areas of legal scholarship for our panels, and we are excited to bring together presenters from UW and around the country to provide inside and outside perspectives to the conversation."

What’s in store for attendees?

"We hope that, after tuning in to the symposium, attendees will have a better sense of the roots of Wisconsin legal scholarship and the direction that the scholarship is heading in the future. This symposium isn’t just about reflecting on the last 100 years; it’s also about looking forward to the next 100."

Who are you hoping tunes in this year?

"Given that it’s the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin Law Review, we’re hoping to see current, past, and prospective students attend the symposium to celebrate the legacy of Wisconsin scholarship. Additionally, we welcome faculty and attorneys from Wisconsin and beyond to weigh in on the discussions during Q&A. No matter what interests a person might have, there is something for everyone at this symposium."

How do you think that the Law Review has influenced the scholarly environment at UW Law?

"The Law Review provides students and faculty with a platform to publish useful, novel and timely pieces of legal scholarship. The journal started in 1920, but students became its sole editors in 1935. As an entirely student-run journal, the Law Review staff ultimately determines what scholarship gets published, so we directly impact the trajectory of the scholarly conversations that will occur now and into the future by selecting topics and perspectives that we believe will add value to the legal community."

And how have UW Law School’s scholarly traditions informed the Wisconsin Law Review over time?

"For me, it seems like a very cyclical process. The scholarly traditions are passed down to each new class of law students. Beginning as a 1L, students start to learn from faculty about the major scholars and the influence of their ideas on a particular field. From there, it only grows. Students graduate and become academics, judges and practicing attorneys, and they build upon the traditions they learned here at UW. The Wisconsin Law Review helps memorialize and share those ideas, both new and old, with the next generation."

Find an agenda and registration information.

Submitted by Law School News on October 9, 2020

This article appears in the categories: Features, Students

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