Jay E. Grenig

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Marquette law professor Jay E. Grenig is the rarest of rarities — a law professor who writes for attorneys and judges, rather than fellow academics.

A prolific writer, Professor Grenig’s books include a large number of publications focusing on Wisconsin law. His books in West’s Wisconsin Practice Series include Civil Procedure, Procedural Forms, Methods of Practice, Civil Discovery, Wisconsin Civil Rules Handbook, and Elements of an Action.

At the federal level, Grenig has authored or co-authored books on jury practice, federal forms, discovery and alternative dispute resolution.

He was recently recognized by Thomson West for publishing his 100th book title.

Grenig states, “I write for the profession. There is a need for that. Since I started teaching, more writing is for other members of the academy. I started out writing for the profession, and am very comfortable doing it. I wish I could write a novel, but I have a different talent.”

Nathan A. Fishbach, who has co-authored two of Grenig’s books, wrote in his nomination, “it is hard to imagine a Wisconsin practitioner who has not referred to at least one of Professor Grenig’s books during the course of a career.”

Grenig also serves on the Wisconsin Judicial Council and its Evidence and Civil Procedure Committee, and has served as the Reporter for the committee which drafts the local rules for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

In addition to his service to those already in practice, Grenig’s teaching at Marquette helps train future attorneys. He teaches courses in e-discovery, alternative dispute resolution, and arbitration.

Fittingly, he also teaches civil procedure, and a federal civil litigation workshop.

While civil procedure may be considered boring, “it is the engine that pulls the train,” Grenig states. “There is no glory in it, but most cases are resolved before trial.”

The workshop brings the relevance of civil procedure home to the students. Grenig observed, “People don’t really understand civil procedure until they start litigating. The workshop forces the students to apply the rules.”

So, you ask, how did a law professor wind up teaching practical skills, and writing practical books and articles for attorneys and judges in the courtroom, rather than his fellow colleagues in ivied halls?

Learning the hard way, in court, of course.

Grenig said, “When I was practicing law early in my career, I cited a law review article to the court. And the judge said, ‘I really don’t care what some law professor thinks. What is the law?’”