New justice shares his path with law students

Louis Butler’s determined journey in a quest for fairness led him back to the UW Law School, just after he was sworn in as Wisconsin’s first African-American Supreme Court justice.

A 1977 UW Law School graduate, Butler made it a priority to stop in to visit with about 70 first-year minority law students following his historic investiture at the State Capitol on Aug. 25.

Butler grew up on Chicago’s south side, where his exposure to bias and his subsequent struggle to succeed convinced him that all people need to have an equal shot at opportunity.

“I’m standing on other people’s shoulders,” Butler told participants in the school’s Legal Opportunities (LEO) Program, which is considered a national model for recruiting, supporting and retaining students from traditionally underrepresented communities.

Butler, a Milwaukee County circuit judge who was appointed by Gov. Jim Doyle to fill a vacancy on the state’s highest court, said law students have a responsibility to those who follow them.

“I did not get here by myself,” Butler said. “I appreciate the help I’ve had along the way. I appreciate the LEO program, and all that it does for all of the citizens of Wisconsin. These are the types of programs that pave the way for everyone else.”

Butler told the students that their accountability does not end when they graduate.

“Once you walk through that door, you have the responsibility to do your best as attorneys,” he said. “If you do that, then you pave the way for students behind you. We have to keep these doors open. We have to make sure that programs like LEO run in perpetuity.”

The UW Law School has graduated more than 1,000 students of color and the student body has a minority population topping 25 percent, in a state that is 88 percent white.

Law School Dean Kenneth B. Davis Jr. said Butler jumped at the chance to speak to minority law students.

“When he invited me to the investiture, I said, ‘That happens to be the day of our orientation, and he said, ‘Fax me the schedule. I want to be a part of it.’ We are so proud of you on this day,” Davis said during Butler’s appearance.

Students who listened to Butler’s talk in the school’s atrium echoed that pride. First-year law student Nenye Uche said Butler’s appearance was inspirational, especially as Uche is beginning his law school career.

“Seeing Justice Butler makes me feel like I can do it,” said Uche, a student from Nigeria. “It encourages me. I know I can do it, and my children can do it, and the people coming up behind us can do it.”

Third-year law student Anthony Davis agreed Butler’s appointment to the bench makes him an important role model for law students of color.

“UW has one of the major law school populations of African Americans,” Davis said. “To see that we finally have a Supreme Court judge, makes you think you can achieve some of the highest levels in the legal system. We’re making strides. It’s a great time to be in law school.”

Butler’s appointment means that six of the seven justices on the state Supreme Court have degrees from the UW Law School, with five of those graduating with law degrees and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson receiving a doctorate of law in American legal history there in 1962.