Mary Foster

How long have you been teaching at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law? And what brought you here?

It is hard to believe, but I have been teaching here for about 15 years! I was hired at first to teach one section of Legal Ethics each semester. At the time I worked for the state Supreme Court prosecuting lawyers who engaged in ethical misconduct.

What defines Northwestern Pritzker School of Law? What is unique about it?

The students, of course. The students come here with an array of backgrounds and experience and we learn from each other. In the ELLM program, students have shared their past ethical dilemmas, bringing to life the material we study.

What is your daily routine as a professor?

I teach many of my classes during the evening. When I am not teaching, I am meeting with students, presenting CLE programs, or finding new ways to present the lessons.

Which course(s) do you teach?

I teach a variety of courses re: Legal Ethics, including courses targeted to business lawyers, global practitioners, and public interest lawyers. I also co-teach a class re: Whistleblowing and an intersession class AI, Technology and Ethics.

How do you support young lawyers at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law?

I hope I can serve as a resource to students once they are in practice.

What qualifications / prior knowledge do you require students to have in order to study at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (i.e. admission requirements but also soft skills)?

As Legal Ethics is a required course for most students, I do not require any additional skills before taking the courses. But it helps to have a natural curiousity about ethics in the workplace.

What do you value most about working at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law?

My contact with the students, even after they have graduated.

What do you do in your leisure time?

I love to hike and last year I started to snowshoe in the winter months. I also love to read, walk my dog, and visit with family and friends.

Name three term that you associate with the word „law“.

Ethics (of course!), Profession, and Advisor.

You are planning a law-free weekend on a desert island and you are allowed to take only three things with you. What would they be?

I have three children and a dog, so deciding which child to leave at home is an ethical dilemma....

Which advice would you like to give every young lawyer?

You reap what you sow.