UW Law Emeritus Professor David Schultz '72 Dies

David Schultz '72, who served for three decades as associate dean for Continuing Legal Education and Outreach until his retirement in 2011, died April 5, 2024, in Madison. He was 78.

Schultz, who grew up in Fort Atkinson, graduated from UW–Madison with a bachelor of science degree in history in 1967. He was drafted out of Law School by the Army into the Military Police in Alaska. After his return and eventual graduation, he worked for two years as a staff attorney for Corrections Legal Services in Milwaukee.

He joined the UW Extension Department of Law in 1974; he rose to associate professor and chairman in the early 1980s.

One of Schultz's most lasting impacts on the legal profession came through his service as Reporter for the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions, from 1976 to 2019. He continued as an adviser on jury instructions until his death. "His influence has thus been felt in all of the many criminal cases in which those instructions have been used and will continue to be for many years to come," UW Law Dean Dan Tokaji said.

Through the Continuing Legal Education and Outreach Program, Schultz co-authored many books and taught a variety of criminal law courses for lawyers, judges and police officers. At the Law School, he taught first-year courses in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure and supervised the judicial intern program.

In his free time, he enjoyed watching football, basketball, and golf and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison.