William Mitchell College of Law, now part of Mitchell Hamline School of Law following the 2015 merger, offered a comprehensive Juris Doctor (JD) program focused on practical legal education. The curriculum emphasized experiential learning through clinics, externships, and simulations, preparing students for real-world legal practice.
- Core First-Year Courses: These foundational classes included Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, Torts, Legal Writing and Research, and Legislation and Regulation. Students engaged in rigorous analysis of legal principles, case studies, and drafting exercises to build essential skills.
- Upper-Level Required Courses: Building on basics, students took Professional Responsibility, Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Business Associations, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of ethical practice and complex legal doctrines.
- Elective Courses in Specialized Areas: The school provided diverse electives such as Family Law, covering divorce, child custody, and domestic relations; Intellectual Property Law, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights; Environmental Law, addressing regulatory compliance and sustainability; International Law, exploring global treaties and human rights; and Health Law, focusing on healthcare policy, bioethics, and medical malpractice.
- Clinical and Experiential Programs: Hands-on opportunities included the Civil Litigation Clinic, where students represented clients in court; the Criminal Defense Clinic, handling misdemeanor cases; the Immigration Law Clinic, assisting with asylum and deportation matters; and the Mediation Clinic, teaching alternative dispute resolution techniques. Externships with judges, prosecutors, and public defenders offered practical courtroom exposure.
- Advanced Degrees and Certificates: Beyond the JD, programs like the Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution emphasized negotiation, arbitration, and conflict management. Certificate programs in areas like Trial Advocacy and Business Law allowed specialization.
The curriculum integrated technology in legal practice, with courses on e-discovery, cybersecurity law, and legal informatics. Faculty, many former practitioners, used innovative teaching methods like problem-based learning and moot court competitions. This approach fostered critical thinking, advocacy skills, and professional development, with a strong emphasis on public service and pro bono work. Graduates were well-prepared for bar exams and careers in litigation, corporate law, public interest, and government service. The program's flexibility allowed part-time and full-time study options, accommodating working professionals. Overall, the educational experience at William Mitchell was designed to produce competent, ethical lawyers ready to navigate the evolving legal landscape.
