Court denies diploma privilege petition

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court began a busy Monday by formally denying a petition to extend the diploma privilege beyond the state’s two law schools.

The justices cited the fact that both Marquette Law School and the University of Wisconsin Law School provide state-specific courses as justification for maintaining the current form of the diploma privilege.

Some justices also expressed skepticism as to whether graduates of other law schools would have the same pedigree as those from Marquette and UW.

Petitioner Steven A. Levine considered that thought to be “insulting” and expressed disappointment that the court would not support a 10-year trial of an expanded diploma privilege.

“For them to not even want to try and expand this shows a close-minded attitude,” he said in an interview.

Levine said at this point, he plans to “let things calm down”, but suggested that a productive next step might be for graduates of law schools outside Wisconsin to form a section of the State Bar to defend their interests.

Jack Zemlicka can be reached at [email protected].