A Law School for the Real World.
William Mitchell
by the numbers
The William Mitchell Advantage
114
Number of years William Mitchell has been opening the doors of opportunity for students from all walks of life and pioneering practical legal education
9
Number of William Mitchell alumni serving on the Minnesota Court of Appeals (out of 17 judges)
13
Number of Court of Appeals clerkships awarded to Mitchell students in 2013 (out of 25 total)
43
Number of judicial clerkships awarded to Mitchell students in 2013
For 114 years, William Mitchell has built a reputation in Minnesota and across the country as a law school that prepares students from all walks of life to hit the ground running as lawyers and leaders as soon as they graduate.
William Mitchell IN
52 WORDS
One of the top-ranked clinical programs in the country.
A leader in teaching theory and practical, real-world skills. Robust externship and mentoring programs. Faculty who teach, study, and practice. A large, engaged, supportive alumni base. A commitment to community service. Innovative enrollment options.
From day one, our students learn to think and act like lawyers. Our courses teach legal theory and skills. Students don’t just study contract law, they negotiate and write contracts in class. They file motions, negotiate deals, and advocate—all before they’ve completed their first year. Students also have opportunities to develop and hone their skills every year they’re on campus. Many 1Ls volunteer in the community through the Minnesota Justice Foundation and work as research assistants with the Public Health Law Center at William Mitchell. After the first year, every student who wants hands-on, practical experience can participate in our top-ranked clinical program, our externship program, or the new legal residency program. Getting out of the classroom and into the field serves our students well. They gain real-world skills and experience. They also connect with our strong, supportive alumni network, which includes 11,000 attorneys and business professionals working at law firms large and small, businesses in an array of industries, government agencies, legal aid organizations, and public policy firms. Our alumni like helping Mitchell students succeed, and they work closely with our Career and Professional Development team to provide networking, job-shadowing, and employment opportunities. When you graduate from William Mitchell, you’ll have the skills, knowledge,
That’s William Mitchell College of Law. That’s practical wisdom.
1
Rank of William Mitchell’s clinical program among the region’s law schools (U.S. News & World Report)
116
Number of William Mitchell alumni who served as mentors to first-year students in 2013
1
Rank of William Mitchell in a recent survey of 1,500 practicing attorneys in Minnesota for “preparedness of graduates”
network, and confidence to start practicing law the first day on the job.
That’s the William Mitchell advantage.
Academics Theory and practice: From day one, our classes teach theory, practical skills, and professionalism Theory and Doctrine Courses integrate lectures, reading, and hands-on training. They empower students with the ability to think critically, argue compellingly, write sharply, negotiate successfully, and favorably complete transactions. By the time our students earn their degree, they have the skills, knowledge, professionalism, and experience to feel like confident lawyers. We call it practical wisdom.
Enrollment
OPTIONS
Skills-Based Curriculum Learning to practice law isn’t entirely about reading casebooks and listening to lectures. At Mitchell, students gain a distinct advantage in their education and professional careers during their first year of law school. All students take Writing and Representation: Advice and Persuasion (WRAP). It features small-group classes designed to help students begin to master fundamental client representation skills such as interviewing clients, writing memos, researching the law, negotiating contracts, settling cases, and arguing motions.
Only at Mitchell: Deals and Dispute Resolution Innovation and a commitment to practical wisdom are William Mitchell hallmarks, so some of our classes are unlike anything you’ll find at other law schools. Deals and Dispute Resolution is a one-of-a-kind J-Term course that has been called “exhausting but exhilarating.” It’s also been called “the most realistic class” some students have ever taken. Over the course of five days, students work morning, noon, and night doing the work of a transactional lawyer. Under the supervision of 10 professors, they spend a pressure-filled and hectic week working on complex negotiations between two fictional companies.
In addition, all Mitchell students take a hands-on skills-building Advocacy course that focuses on client representation, and advocacy skills in a courtroom setting.
William Mitchell is the only ABA-accredited law school to offer three enrollment options to meet the needs of students from all walks of life:
Traditional Full Time
On-campus l 4–5 classes per semester l Classes meet Monday through Friday l
Traditional Part Time On campus 3–4 classes per semester l Classes meet at 6 pm three nights per week (with an occasional fourth night) Monday through Thursday
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Hybrid Part Time On-campus and online 3–4 classes per semester l Come to campus the first week of the first and third semester, come back to campus the last week of each semester for Capstone week
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“Deals and Dispute Resolution is different than a lot of the courses offered at Mitchell or any other law school. It’s a lot more hands-on—you’re thrown into the fire. You do a lot of negotiations, interviewing, and actually writing contracts. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the end.” – Nate Snyder, 3L
They prepare late into the night and negotiate during the day. They use their classroom knowledge to write contracts. They use the skills they’ve gained in the Business Law Clinic and the Center for Law and Business to advocate and negotiate. And by the end of the course, they know what it’s like to be a lawyer in the real world. This intense, skills-building course is something Mitchell has been doing for a long time, and it’s the model for the simulation courses that students who choose the hybrid enrollment option will experience during their on-campus Capstone weeks.
Practical wisdom
Learning by working with real clients on real cases Gaining wisdom through practical, hands-on experience is a hallmark of a William Mitchell education. Our professors were pioneers in developing practical legal education—and they continue to be on the forefront of innovation today. We believe that good lawyers know the law, great lawyers have the ability to put it to work for their clients and communities. Mitchell students gain practical wisdom through our top-ranked clinical program, a robust externship program, a new legal residency program, and skills courses that are highly regarded for their rigor and real-world applications. Robyn Meyer-Thompson ’14 came to William Mitchell to earn a J.D. degree and use it to help people who have traditionally struggled to access the justice system. By the time she graduated, she had already represented 15 clients in the Civil Advocacy and Immigration Law Clinics.
“When I am able to directly serve our clients, I am the one who benefits the most,” she says of her work with the clinics. “My decision to attend William Mitchell was based on the strong reputation of its clinical program—and it has paid off tremendously. I feel equipped with the practical skills to represent low-income clients in the real world.”
Students in the legal residency program get to experience the best of in-classroom and in-the-field education. They participate in a three-credit seminar taught by a professor with expertise in the area of law in which the student will be working as a legal resident. Together, the students and professors focus on developing lawyering skills such as counseling clients and preparing for and appearing in court.
l Department of Labor & Industry Chief Legal Counsel’s Office (Labor Law)
Department of Transportation General Counsel’s Office (Government)
Department of Public Safety Internal Affairs (Government)
Business Law Clinic
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Child Protection Clinic
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Civil Advocacy Clinic
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Community Development Clinic Criminal Appeals Clinic
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Immigration Law Clinic
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Indian Law Clinic
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Intellectual Property Clinic
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Law and Psychiatry Clinic
Legal Planning Clinic for Tax-Exempt Organizations and Low Income Clients
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Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners Clinic
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Misdemeanor Clinic
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Reentry Clinic (helping women being released from prison)
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Public Utilities Commission (Government, Compliance)
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Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (Environmental, Public Policy)
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Minnesota State Colleges and Universities General Counsel’s Office (Government, Compliance, Employment) l
Self-Help Clinic (a student-run, not-for-credit clinic helping people representing themselves in court)
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Veterans Law Clinic (a student- run, not-for-credit clinic serving military veterans)
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Hennepin County Title Examiner Office, Tax Services Contracts and Procurement (Government, Tax)
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Our last graduating class worked with 8,000 clients during their time at Mitchell through the Minnesota Justice Foundation, our clinical program, and our externship program.
United States Department of Agriculture (Government, Compliance, Employment)
National Labor Relations Board, Regional Counsel’s Office (Public Policy, Labor)
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St. Croix County District Attorney’s Office Family Law Referee–Hennepin County
St. Croix County, Wisconsin, District Attorney’s Office (Criminal)
Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office Federal Public Defender’s Office United States Attorney’s Office
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Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (Minneapolis and St. Cloud)
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency General Counsel’s Office (Government, Environmental, Compliance)
Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Regional Counsel’s Office (Government, Compliance, Health Care)
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Students then venture into the real world to work at least three full days each week at their residency sites, which have included: Minnesota Public Defender’s Office
l University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Compliance (Compliance)
William Mitchell Clinics
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They help secure patents for new inventions, protect Native languages, reunite children with their parents, secure citizenship for new Americans, and help small-business owners connect with legal resources they otherwise could not afford. Their work in our clinics makes a positive difference—in their futures as well as in the lives of their clients.
William Mitchell offers a variety of externships that allow our students to earn credit outside of the law school by working with practicing attorneys in the community.
Department of Human Services General Counsel’s Office, Appeals & Regulations (Government)
The William Mitchell Clinical Program
Students interview clients, write memos and briefs, represent clients in court, and argue cases before judges—all before they graduate.
The William Mitchell legal residency program
In 2013, 300 students were awarded externships. They worked with public defenders to preserve the rights of the accused. They worked with state and county agencies to shape public policy and protect society’s most vulnerable. And they worked with federal judges to ensure the judicial system is just. Among the partners students have worked with are:
Under the supervision of full-time professors, more than 200 students a year hone their skills and serve the public by working with clients who might not otherwise have access to legal representation.
The William Mitchell Externship Program
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Central Minnesota Legal Services
Wilson Law Group (Immigration)
Waggoner Law Office
NCS Pearson, Inc. (Trademark)
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Colich & Associates
Colich & Associates (Criminal)
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l Kagan Binder (Intellectual Property) l
White Bear Lake Area Schools (General Practice)
Jardine, Logan & O’Brien (Litigation) l
Paschal Nwokocha Law Offices (Immigration)
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St. Paul City Attorney’s Office (Civil & Criminal Divisions)
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Government)
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Shepherd Data Services, Inc. (E-Discovery & Litigation Management) l
William Mitchell
On campus and in the community
The William Mitchell campus is located in the Summit Avenue neighborhood in St. Paul, Minn. We’re located just minutes from the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which are home to state and federal government offices, top law firms, and 18 Fortune 500 companies—all of which employ William Mitchell graduates in leadership positions. Because William Mitchell is an independent law school, our students have the advantage of fully dedicated student services staff, financial aid office, and a career and professional development team that is made up of people with J.D.s who understand what it takes to land the right job after graduation. Our sole focus is the success of our students, and we take great pride in helping students from all walks of life achieve their individual goals.
The William Mitchell on-campus experience l
Faculty who treat students like colleagues
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A welcoming, collaborative, supportive environment
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More than 65 student groups focused on professional development, political activities, social justice, public service, and recreation
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The only law school in the region to receive the “Military Friendly” designation
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Home of the Legal Practice Center, an “on-campus law firm” where students practice law
Our large, supportive alumni community is a powerhouse in the region, and our alumni help our students by serving as mentors, teaching courses as adjunct professors, and helping them find jobs.
From the bench and bar to the classroom: nationally recognized, accomplished faculty What if you could study criminal law with a professor who currently defends the accused in court? Or Indian law with a tribal court judge? What if you could study the First Amendment with a professor who used to be a CNN news producer?
At William Mitchell, you can. Our full-time professors don’t just research and teach law—they practice it. They work with Fortune 500 companies, law firms large and small, and government agencies. Their connections to the profession enhance the classroom experience and ensure that you’re learning the skills and knowledge that real lawyers use every day in the real world. That law you’re reading about? A Mitchell professor wrote it. Wondering about the legal defense strategy on a case? Ask the Mitchell professor who tried it. Questioning a legal policy? Work with a Mitchell professor to change it.
Professor Ted Sampsell-Jones: Bringing the Courtroom to the Classroom When Mitchell Professor Ted Sampsell-Jones teaches Evidence, he has his students evaluate the prosecution’s evidence from the Barry Bonds case. In his Sentencing class, his students write a memo from the perspective of a Minnesota public defender. It’s real-world work that Sampsell-Jones knows personally. In addition to teaching a slate of criminal law classes full time at Mitchell, Sampsell-Jones is of counsel at the San Francisco law firm Riordan & Horgan, one of the nation’s leading criminal appellate firms, working for highprofile defendants such as Bonds and Phil Spector. He also volunteers for Minnesota’s Appellate Defender’s Office, representing indigent defendants appealing convictions for crimes ranging from simple assaults to murder. “Practicing law makes me a better teacher,” he says. “It gives me a better understanding of how the courts work, a better understanding of legal issues. I can bring it all back to the classroom and show students how cases are being prosecuted in the world.”
Scholarships for students from all walks of life William Mitchell has a robust scholarship program designed for students from all walks of life. Scholarships are awarded based upon a variety of factors and range in value from 15 percent of tuition to 100 percent of tuition.
100%
of students who entered last year received scholarship assistance
A legal education is an investment that requires thoughtful planning—and we are here to help.
Contact the William Mitchell Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid Office staff can help you understand your financial options and resources and welcomes your questions.
651-290-6403 finaid@wmitchell.edu
See for Yourself Schedule a Personal Visit Meet students, professors, and Admissions representatives. Tour campus. Sit in on a class. Envision yourself as a student at William Mitchell.
Join us at an Information Session We host several information sessions throughout the year. Come to campus and learn more about how William Mitchell can help you reach your goals.
Learn more about William Mitchell College of Law 651–290–6476 admissions@wmitchell.edu wmitchell.edu @875Summit Facebook.com/WilliamMitchellCollegeofLaw
for a degree in
PRACTICAL WISDOM
Office of Admissions 875 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 888-962-5529 wmitchell.edu 01263 2014-06