Law School faculty spotlight: Becca Donaldson

Law

Law School faculty spotlight: Becca Donaldson

Having worked as an attorney at Legal Action of Wisconsin, Milwaukee native Becca Donaldson brings experience with the Wisconsin legal system and an understanding of the communities surrounding Marquette. Her professional interests span topics such as gendered violence, human rights, and international law, all of which reflect her commitment to building meaningful connections between people.

"My hope is to help expand our understanding, as a community and society, about how we relate to one another, how we identify ourselves, and how we can engage with others in a healthy way," Donaldson shared.

Donaldson is a new full-time member of Marquette University Law School's faculty, having previously been a part-time faculty member during the 2022-23 academic year. She is the assistant director of the Andrew Center for Restorative Justice and works alongside the director of the Andrew Center, Mary Triggiano. They are currently planning a conference, The Union of Restorative Justice, Health Care, and Street Outreach: A Healing Approach to Preventing Gun Violence (Oct. 24-25). Donaldson is also an assistant clinical professor of law, teaching interviewing and counseling this fall and alternative dispute resolution this spring.

"Justice takes different forms. Many people come to realize that even winning a court case isn't as healing as they anticipated. Working in restorative justice gives us the opportunity to help people work through those deeper traumas," said Donaldson.

"The textbook answer will not always be adequate to address the concern of your client," she continued. "I try to get students comfortable with thinking outside of the box and trying to consider different approaches that address the human element of the problem.

"A big part of what you're doing as an attorney is showing up and being present for your client. There are things technology can help us with, but attorneys continue to serve others by providing human interaction that helps people to feel seen and heard."

This desire to foster deeper connections is also why she facilitates a "tech free" classroom that generally does not use cell phones or laptops. Donaldson believes that the substantive law students must focus on in law school is not the only critical component of a legal education. She emphasizes the importance of fully engaging with the material and each other in a present, focused way.

Donaldson's classes are usually full of simulations and small group exercises. She describes her courses as requiring students to "play a little bit in the sandbox."

Donaldson earned her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School. She received her B.A. with honors from Northwestern University. Donaldson was born and raised in Wisconsin, just down the road from the Marquette campus.

"My mom was an adjunct professor at the College of Communication, next door to the Law School, during the Dwyane Wade era," said Donaldson. "Seeing that growing up, I hoped that one day I might also get the opportunity to teach at Marquette."

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