For nearly 30 years as the campus attorney, Erik Forsgren has given UW-Oshkosh students inexpensive legal advice, recently receiving the prestigious Elizabeth Berg Streeter Community Service Award for his work.
Forsgren attended the annual National Legal Services Conference for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in San Diego this past July to represent our campus for the 23rd time. To his surprise, during the conference Forsgren was given the community service award in recognition for excellence in service to the legal community, social justice and equality.
Forsgren is the first part-time student attorney to receive this award in the history of the conference.
“I was totally shocked; I had no clue. In my acceptance speech I said I always felt it shouldn’t go to part-time work but to someone who fully devotes themselves to it,” Forsgren said. “This award is a reflection of me being here involved with good people and UW-O’s program as a whole.”
Oshkosh Student Association (OSA) Office Manager Sue Jaeke said, “The award that Erik received is very prestigious in the student legal services community. It is a great honor for him and our university. We are lucky to have him on campus.”
This national conference, held in San Diego, gathers attorneys to share stories and wisdom on the issues they face while working on student legal issues.
Forsgren participated in hands-on training sessions that address immigration, custody and sexual harassment, among others.
Besides attending national conferences, Forsgren has dedicated his time to offer students advice and help on legal issues.
Senior Heather Wade sought out Forsgren’s advice on event prize giveaways.
“He was very helpful, even going out of his way to call me later in the week to confirm research he did. He used the session time wisely, and he puts himself in your position to see what would work best,” Wade said.
Forsgren represents all students on matters ranging from tenant rental to debtor issues, and views legal counsel to be as important as other services available around campus.
“The campus has counseling and health center services, so it’s natural for there to be a service to deal with legal issues,” Forsgren said.
Even though Forsgren is the attorney, the legal services program is composed of a team of staff, student government leaders, volunteers and student directors.
“Erik is respected throughout the campus, as well as the community,” Student Legal Services director Brenna Ranzen said. “He genuinely cares about the students here at Oshkosh, and the students that have worked with him know he goes to great lengths to look out for their interests and protect their rights.”
Forsgren acknowledges that many students simply don’t have the experience to understand legal issues they may face. The Student Legal Services help students become more learned in legal matters.
“If we didn’t have Erik to stand up for [students], they would have no way of fighting for their rights without it costing them a lot of money – money students do not have while in college,” Jaeke said.
Any student or campus organization facing a potential legal issue or have any questions are invited to contact the Student Legal Services to schedule a $5 appointment with Forsgren. These visits, according to Forsgren, are always beneficial for students.
“Many students discuss landlord issues, speeding tickets, drunk driving violations, underage drinking tickets and more. Erik provides them with legal advice and how to best deal with the situation,” Ranzen said.
Forsgren’s ability to relate to students’ issues comes from his years of experience at his private law practice based in Fremont, Wis.
With an undergraduate degree from Ripon College and a law degree from the University of Louisiana, Forsgren now focuses his private law practice as work as a guardian ad litem, which is an attorney who acts as an advocate for children within a divorce situation.
In addition to this work, Forsgren acts at the representative for the village of Fremont, township of Dale, and the prosecutor for the city of Neenah.
“I like to work with people. It’s rewarding dealing with people and especially with students,” Forsgren said.
Outside of his legal work, Forsgren is a self-proclaimed avid outdoorsman who is active in sports and biking.
“He is very well read, and loves to discuss current events such as sports and issues in the news with the students in the OSA office,” Ranzen said.
“Erik is always willing to listen to different viewpoints and is respectful and tolerant of differing perspectives.”
Forsgren attributes his long-term success on campus to the wonderful people he has worked with.
“You have to be a special person to be able to relate to students and the OSA office provides that unique environment to do that. We will help sort out the problem and put the mind at ease,” Forsgren said.
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