Marquette University Law School will launch a new curriculum in water law for the 2009–2010 academic year. The curriculum is another step in solidifying Milwaukee as a global leader in water research and policy and will address the ongoing and emerging legal issues posed by the water industry.
The Law School will offer a new water law course stream for students interested in pursuing a career in the area. This curriculum will include a course specializing in the legal principles involved in securing, allocating, transferring, managing and adjudicating water rights for public and private uses. It will also include courses on administrative law, patent and trade secret law, environmental policy and philosophy, land use planning, natural resources law and agriculture law, among others.
“Establishing a specific water law program for students is another piece to the larger puzzle of positioning the Milwaukee region as the worldwide destination for water policy and research,” said Joseph D. Kearney, dean of the Marquette University Law School. “Marquette University Law School will be poised to train the next generation of lawyers to serve the water industry here and around the world.”
“To truly lead, the Milwaukee region has to have the talent and expertise in all areas of water, including the legal aspect of water issues, which will keep growing in significance,” said Rich Meeusen, chairman/president/CEO of Badger Meter and co-chair of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council. Meeusen added, “Marquette Law School’s curriculum is another vital addition to an already solid program that positions the Milwaukee region as the world water hub.”
“This is another fine example of industry-university collaboration that will prepare students to become leaders with the specialized expertise necessary to make this region the leader in the water industry,” said Paul Jones, chairman/CEO of A.O. Smith and co-chair of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council. “Marquette Law School has stepped in and filled a real need as we assemble all the parts needed to make the Milwaukee region the world water hub for freshwater research, economic development, education and, in the future, law.”
Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., is a member of board of the Milwaukee 7 Water Council, and Dr. Mike Switzenbaum, executive associate dean of the Marquette College of Engineering, is an active member of the corporate/university linkage group exploring further collaborations.
Source: Marquette University Law School
