Samantha Crane, a 3L at University of Wisconsin Law School, has already made a name for herself in the Federalist Society (FedSoc).
She worked her way from 1L representative to President of her FedSoc chapter. She contributes articles to the Society’s blog, helping attract thousands of views on her social media posts on X. And she joined the Federalist Society’s Civil Rights Practice Group Executive Committee.
“When I’m passionate or invested in something, I tend to give it my all,” the Chicago-area native said. “That dedication sometimes translates to leadership opportunities.”
Crane, who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science with a certificate in Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was drawn to law school because she wanted to pursue a career that would challenge her while allowing her to make a meaningful impact.
During her first year of law school, she was drawn to the FedSoc as an important forum for debating legal ideas that often aren’t explored in the classroom.
“It was also important to me to be part of a group of like-minded students who are dedicated to preserving the principles of legal order and who believe it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be,” she said.
Serving as the chapter president for the 2024-25 academic year has been an honor, Crane said.
“It has given me the opportunity to help shape the conversation at UW Law by bringing in leading lawyers and judges to discuss hotly debated legal topics, offering our community a chance to engage with thought-provoking ideas and challenging issues,” she added.
One of the most memorable weeks of her time at UW Law was in February 2023. She was vice president of the local FedSoc chapter, which hosted two major events in the same week: The first, focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, featured Devon Westhill, president and general counsel of the Center for Equal Opportunity; Dan Lennington, deputy counsel and director of the Equality Under the Law Project at Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty; and UW Law Dean Dan Tokaji. The second, centered on originalism, featured Judge James Ho of the Fifth Circuit and Justice Rebecca Bradley of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Crane said navigating environments where conservative and Jewish perspectives are underrepresented has been one of her biggest challenges.
“Law school, like many academic spaces, can sometimes feel homogenous in terms of its political and cultural tendencies,” she explained. “As someone who holds different perspectives, it can be challenging to find spaces where these views are openly discussed and respected.”
However, Crane has viewed this as an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and promote diversity of thought, particularly through organizations like the FedSoc.
“I firmly believe that fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes a variety of perspectives is essential for a well-rounded education and for preparing us to practice law in a diverse society,” Crane said.