General practitioners handle a wide variety of legal problems in large cities, suburban towns, and in rural communities. They may assist small and mid-size businesses with issues of incorporation, contracts, tax matters, employment law, and collections issues, as well as provide special counsel to large businesses. They may serve as the family lawyer for individuals by drafting wills and setting up estate plans; handling tax matters; dealing with divorces, child custody and other family law issues; conducting real estate closings; and providing representation in personal injury or employment law matters.
Most general practitioners work in small practices (five or fewer lawyers) or by themselves, They must have a working knowledge of many different practice areas and must be able to develop a client base, run a small business, and keep up to date on changes to the law. Often they have a well-developed network of more experienced or specialized attorneys to turn for advice. Small firm practitioners are involved in every aspect of firm management and this can be difficult for some lawyers. Others thrive and have the satisfaction of being completely responsible for their own businesses, of establishing their own work hours and lifestyle, and of working closely with their clients on a daily basis.
Students interested in general practice should select courses that give them a broad legal education in basic subject matters and skills.
Core/Foundation Course
A student interested in this specialty should take:
- Lawyering Skills Course
Recommended Courses
Students interested in this practice area should consider including one or more of the following courses as electives.
- Administrative Law
- Advanced Legal Writing
- Family Law I
- Bankruptcy
- Business Organizations I
- Civil Procedure II
- Client Interviewing and Counseling
- Evidence
- Negotiation/Mediation
- Tax (A or B)
- Trial Advocacy
- Trusts and Estates
Enrichment Courses
These courses deepen or broaden the skills and substantive information that a lawyer in this field needs and also provide advanced courses for students interested in a specialty within this area of practice.
- Advanced Criminal Procedure
- Advanced Substantive Criminal Law
- Contracts II
- Equal Employment Law
- Insurance Law
- Marital Property (for those practicing in Wisconsin)
- Oral Communications
- Torts II
(Note that whether a particular course is scheduled depends on faculty availability and student demand.)
Clinics, Internships, and Externships
Consumer Law Litigation Clinic
The Consumer Law Litigation Clinic represents low- and moderate-income consumers in individual and class action lawsuits in federal and state courts. The Clinic operates year-round and is open to students who have completed their first year of law school. The Consumer Law Litigation Clinic trains students in all aspects of civil litigation.
The Judicial Internship Program places students with trial and appellate judges throughout Wisconsin, including placements with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Student work varies but always emphasizes research and writing.
Legal Assistance
to Institutionalized Persons (LAIP)
The Legal Assistance to Institutionalized Persons Project, known as LAIP,
is the largest of the Remington Center's clinical projects. In LAIP, students
work under the direct supervision of clinical faculty to provide legal
assistance to state and federal prison inmates throughout Wisconsin.
The educational mission of the Neighborhood Law Project is to train students in legal research and analysis, drafting, negotiation, litigation, and other skills, while also engaging them in a critical inquiry into the role of law and lawyers in redressing economic injustice and inequality. Students work under close supervision, and gain experience in client interviewing, counseling, and client-centered lawyering.
Student Organizations and Related Activities
Business & Tax Law Association (BATLAW)
The University of Wisconsin Business & Tax Law Association promotes
and enhances the study and practice of business and tax law. The
BTLA also encourages high standards of academic achievement as well as
social interaction with other law students, faculty, and the professional
community. Several faculty members and some of the largest law firms
in Wisconsin are included in BATLAW's membership.
Law Review/Law Journals
There are three student journals (Wisconsin Law Review, Wisconsin International Law Journal, Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society ) that give students an opportunity to assist with and contribute to the Law School's scholarly publications. These publications provide invaluable training in legal research and writing and allows students a creative experience.
Mock Trial provides real trial experience at a competitive level. Students participate in nationwide competitions that give them opportunities to give opening and closing statements and direct- and cross-examine witnesses. For the student interested in litigation it is an invaluable experience to learn skills you may not get in the classroom.
Moot Court is a mock appellate advocacy program that provides invaluable experience for students in brief writing and oral advocacy.
Faculty
Here are some of the full-time faculty who teach or have an interest in this subject area:
Ralph Cagle
Room 5228
262-7881
rmcagle@wisc.edu
Gretchen
Viney
Room 5224
262-8048
ggviney@wisc.edu
In addition to our full-time faculty, the Law School's adjunct faculty members -- prominent practicing lawyers and judges -- bring their specialized knowledge and experience to the classroom.