Milwaukee, WI — Becca Donaldson, a Milwaukee native with a rich understanding of the local legal landscape, has transitioned to a full-time role at Marquette University Law School. Having previously imparted her expertise as a part-time faculty member, she now serves as the assistant director at the Andrew Center for Restorative Justice and plays an instrumental role alongside Mary Triggiano, the center’s director. This career move aligns with her extensive background as an attorney for Legal Action of Wisconsin, where she tackled issues from gendered violence to human rights.
In her new capacity, Donaldson aims to deepen societal understanding of interpersonal relationships and self-identity. She envisions fostering a community that embraces diverse perspectives and engages constructively. Her advocacy for restorative justice emphasizes healing over punitive measures, reflecting her belief in addressing the broader, more personal aftermaths of legal disputes.
Restorative justice, as Donaldson sees it, provides a pathway to address deeply rooted traumas that traditional legal victories often fail to resolve. Her approach extends into the classroom where she advocates for methods that transcend conventional legal education, such as promoting hands-on simulations and fostering direct, meaningful student interactions.
Donaldson’s innovative teaching strategy includes a “tech-free” environment that encourages students to engage fully with their studies and each other without the distractions of modern devices. This method aims to enhance focus and foster genuine connections, skills she believes are critical in the practice of law.
Her classrooms often resemble active legal labs, filled with simulations and group exercises that encourage students to think creatively and practically about legal problems. Donaldson describes her teaching style as allowing students to “play a little in the sandbox,” a method she believes prepares them for real-world legal challenges by focusing on the human elements of law.
Donaldson’s roots run deep in Wisconsin, just a short distance from Marquette’s campus. Her mother, a former adjunct professor during the Dwyane Wade era at Marquette’s neighboring College of Communication, inspired Donaldson’s aspirations to teach.
Drawing from her academic achievements, including a J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School and a B.A. with honors from Northwestern University, Donaldson brings a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to her roles at Marquette.
During her tenure, Donaldson is also collaborating on organizing a conference titled “The Union of Restorative Justice, Health Care, and Street Outreach: A Healing Approach to Preventing Gun Violence,” scheduled for Oct. 24-25. This initiative underscores her commitment to tackling urgent social issues through a multidisciplinary and healing-focused approach.
As both an academic and practitioner, Donaldson continues to influence the next generation of lawyers, stressing the importance of presence, empathy, and a human-centered approach in legal practice, qualities she believes are essential as technology continues to reshape the profession.
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