Jay Rothman

Jay O. Rothman began his tenure as the ninth president of the University of Wisconsin System on June 1, 2022. 

With 13 universities and campuses across the state, the Universities of Wisconsin are home to world-class education, research, and outreach, serving approximately 161,000 students and awarding nearly 37,000 degrees each year. President Rothman leads a statewide workforce of some 35,000 faculty, academic staff, and university staff. He is also responsible for the UW system’s $6 billion annual budget, made up of state support, federal funding, tuition and fees, and private gifts. He reports to the UW System Board of Regents.

Rothman previously served as the chairman and CEO of the law firm Foley & Lardner LLP. Founded in Wisconsin in 1842, Foley has over 1,100 lawyers and approximately 1,000 professional staff members. The firm ranks among the top 50 law firms in the country based on revenue and serves over 10,000 clients from offices located in three international cities and 22 U.S. cities, including Milwaukee and Madison. Rothman was chairman and CEO of Foley & Lardner for 11 years and a member of the firm’s Management Committee for 20 years. He joined Foley in 1986, becoming a partner in 1994.