معرفی
Mary Ferwerda is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Marquette University Law School and currently serves as the Chief Deputy Clerk of Circuit Court in Milwaukee County. She previously led the Milwaukee Justice Center as Executive Director, where she pioneered innovative legal access programs in collaboration with the Milwaukee Bar Association and Marquette University Law School.
Her educational background includes a J.D. from Marquette University Law School (2011, with Pro Bono Honors Distinction) and a certificate in Dispute Resolution. She also holds an M.S. in Community and College Counseling and a B.A. in History with a minor in Education from Creighton University.
Mary Ferwerda's professional focus lies at the intersection of law, public service, and community empowerment. Her work emphasizes improving access to civil legal services for underserved populations through innovative programs such as the MJC Mobile Legal Clinic and the interactive 'Lost in the Law' educational initiative. She is deeply committed to legal innovation, dispute resolution, and pro bono advocacy.
Her contributions have been widely recognized with several prestigious awards. These include being named 'Lawyer of the Year' by the Milwaukee Bar Association in 2024, receiving United Way’s 'Philanthropic 5' award in 2020, and earning multiple 'Champions of Innovation' honors from the State Bar of Wisconsin. The Mobile Legal Clinic was also recognized with a Wisconsin Innovation Award in 2014.
- Lawyer of the Year (2024) - Milwaukee Bar Association
- United Way’s Philanthropic 5 (2020)
- State Bar of Wisconsin Champions of Innovation (2014, 2019)
- Wisconsin Innovation Awards (2014) - Mobile Legal Clinic
- YWCA Rookie Volunteer of the Year (2000)
- Marquette University Division of Student Affairs Outstanding Service Award (2004)
Mary Ferwerda has held significant leadership roles in both the legal and higher education sectors. She has advised and led programs involving AmeriCorps, legal navigation, and community partnerships. While no formal grants are explicitly listed, her work with AmeriCorps and award-winning initiatives suggests involvement in funded public service projects. She has mentored through program leadership but no formal student advisees are mentioned.
She was instrumental in founding the MJC Mobile Legal Clinic and the AmeriCorps Courthouse Navigator program. Earlier in her career, she developed impactful student programs in higher education, including the on-campus YWCA Intimate Violence Resource Center and The Global Village at Campus Town, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to community engagement and innovative service delivery.
