New UW Law School staff members draw from their professional experiences to empower those walking similar paths.
Dant’e Cottingham was sentenced to life in prison in 1995 when he was 17 years old. During the 27 years he was incarcerated, he took a hard look at his life and the systemic issues that contributed to his path to prison. While still in prison, he began advocating for reforms and fair treatment for those in similar situations.
After he was released on parole in 2022, Cottingham was hired by the Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) nonprofit organization, eventually becoming the interim associate director. He also took the role of a public speaker, using his story to highlight the challenges faced by people incarcerated or transitioning back into society.
Joining University of Wisconsin Law School was a natural next step.
“It allows me to take my lived experiences and channel them into something meaningful — helping others navigate the complexities of the justice system and supporting their transitions,” he said.
Now a reentry and outreach support specialist for the Frank J. Remington Center, a new position at the school, Cottingham continues advocating for justice
and aims to develop programs that bridge the divide between the legal system and those affected by it.
“While I envision a future where reentry specialists may no longer be necessary, in the meantime, I’m committed to providing safe and secure housing, job training and employment opportunities, along with someone who understands the vital importance of seeing, hearing and supporting incarcerated individuals upon release,” he said.
Cottingham hopes that by sharing his story, he can provide guidance, support and optimism to individuals transitioning from incarceration, helping them navigate challenges and encouraging them to see the possibilities for their future.
“I want to serve as a catalyst for change, empowering individuals and communities every step of the way,” he said.
One of the great benefits of a UW Law School degree is the Diploma Privilege, which allows graduates to secure a license to practice law in the Badger State without taking a bar exam. However, some students’ dreams extend further than the confines of the state. To better prepare these students for the exam, a new position of director of Bar Success was created. Enter Julie Baldwin.
“Without the bar culture that law schools in non-Diploma Privilege states have, it can be especially daunting for students who are contemplating whether they should attempt a move out of state,” said Baldwin, who started in the position last fall. “Is the bar challenging? Certainly! But should our students limit their potential? Absolutely not!”
Baldwin is a Badger herself, having graduated with a B.S. in molecular biology in 1996. She later pursued a master’s in environmental science and engineering at the Colorado School of Mines while teaching at a middle school.
“While going through my master’s program, I took a couple of environmental law classes, which piqued my interest in the law,” she explained. This interest led her to complete her J.D. at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, prior to returning to the Madison area and passing the Wisconsin Bar.
Now, she is excited to apply her skills to help law students.
As the director of Bar Success, Baldwin will assist J.D. and LL.M. students from matriculation through bar admission to develop the critical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the bar exam and in practice.
“My main goal is to be the go-to resource for all UW Law students, past and present, in navigating jurisdictional components, and to create a comprehensive bar success program to help ensure all students achieve membership to the bar of their choosing,” she said.
Cecilia Kress ’17 is coming back to where it all started.
She was a student attorney at the Law & Entrepreneurship (L&E) Clinic as a 1L in 2015. Now, she has returned as a clinical instructor.
As someone who has sat in the L&E Clinic student’s position, Kress can relate to their excitement and trepidation at working directly with clients. That’s why she is excited to offer real-time feedback and to create a collaborative space where students can provide excellent legal services to clients while understanding their work in a larger context.
“The L&E Clinic serves a very diverse group of business owners and entrepreneurs, and our legal advice needs to be tailored to their individual needs,” she said. “I encourage my students to step back and ask themselves: Who is the client? Why does this advice make sense for their particular situation? How does this document further the client’s business goals?”
The L&E Clinic provides an essential service to Wisconsin’s startup community — access to free legal advice in the early stages of forming and operating a business, when resources are often scarce and good decision-making is critical. As a Madison native, Kress takes pride in giving back to her community and empowering Wisconsinites to overcome hurdles and pursue their business ideas.
“In private practice, I counseled clients of all sizes through the different stages of the business life cycle from entity formation to capital raises and sales,” she said. “My clients ranged from a family-owned food truck parked on the UW campus mall to a Fortune 500 company with international operations. I plan to draw upon these experiences to give our students the tools to help entrepreneurs across Wisconsin innovate and grow while developing their skills as business transactional attorneys.”