Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Mitchell Hamline School of Law was formed through the merger between William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law in 2015 and offers nationally ranked programs in alternative dispute resolution, health law, clinical education, and part-time degrees.

The Rosalie Wahl Legal Practice Center gives students hands-on experience working with clients ranging from low-income renters, prisoners, and nonprofit groups to simulation courses offering real-world context and feedback for skills training.

About the School

Mitchell Hamline can trace its roots back to 1900 when five St. Paul attorneys had an innovative plan for legal education. They established a night law school as an alternative to daytime classes due to job and family obligations. Today, Mitchell Hamline boasts diverse student bodies, multiple dual degree programs, and an active alumni network.

Our compact campus is conveniently situated on Saint Paul’s historic Summit Avenue, minutes from both downtowns. It is small enough to foster a community where professors know all their students personally. In contrast, students benefit from learning from both instructors and peers in an inclusive learning environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.

At Mitchell Hamline, we are dedicated to ensuring all community members can pursue their educational and professional goals without fear of discrimination and harassment. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion collaborates closely with administration, faculty, and staff members in creating an atmosphere in which all individuals may explore differences safely in an inclusive atmosphere. Through outreach activities, training courses, counseling services, and support services, it fosters an environment that values respect for one another and creates a culture of respect and inclusion at our school.

The School of Law is a welcoming environment that embraces different viewpoints and experiences. Student organizations at our law school reflect this value, with 65 active groups covering subjects ranging from legal and social justice issues to athletics and recreation. Furthermore, our student newspaper and magazine publish articles covering diverse interests.

In 2015, Hamline University and William Mitchell College law schools joined forces to form the Mitchell|Hamline School of Law. This union furthered their commitments to experiential learning and innovation while making law degrees more affordable and accessible for working adults. The first volume of their combined Mitchell Hamline Law Review was published in March 2016, bearing 42 as an homage to both journals’ rich legacies encompassing generations of institutional knowledge in their scholarship.

Admissions

Mitchell Hamline provides an innovative legal education. Our curriculum blends theory with hands-on work through clinics, skills courses, and the externship program – giving our graduates the ability to make a difference in law immediately, business, government, or community service – once they graduate. Voted Minnesota’s best law school by local lawyers two years in a row by local attorneys; nationally recognized for our clinical training, dispute resolution, and health law programs, as well as supporting minority students with scholarships and other initiatives; Mitchell Hamline remains Minnesota’s best law school!

Mitchell Hamline requires applicants to possess both an outstanding GPA and LSAT subscores to be competitive for admission, with an ideal target placement being within the top 25th of their class and the entire 30th for LSAT subscores.

In addition to grades and test scores, the Admissions Committee considers letters of recommendation, an interview with an academic adviser or faculty member, a resume, a writing sample, and personal characteristics as critical considerations in its review process. An essay provides valuable extra insights about an applicant that cannot be gained elsewhere on an application form.

An excellent essay can give an applicant an edge over other qualified candidates, mainly if it addresses one of Mitchell Hamline’s core values, such as civic engagement or public service. An engaging essay can make an applicant stand out amongst their competition.

Notable characteristics of the school include its location at the heart of Saint Paul, its commitment to public interest law, and numerous career resources for both students and alumni. Furthermore, the law school features special projects and centers, such as Dispute Resolution Institute, Health Law Institute, and Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute, focusing on specific law aspects.

If you plan on applying to Mitchell Hamline, use it as early as possible. Applying early gives the best chance of acceptance while providing plenty of time for scholarship searches and financial aid options if necessary.

Financial Aid

Mitchell Hamline Law School is situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota – the state capital – and engulfed by its 16th largest metropolitan area in America and recently recognized as a most livable city. This experiential education school stands out as one of the top law schools for students looking for intellectual depth and hands-on learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to use their time on campus engaging with local communities and pursuing personal passions through over 30 student organizations, such as Law Review publishing projects and annual charitable and pro bono programs.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion works in close conjunction with our administration, faculty, and staff to create an environment where our students feel secure expressing all aspects of their individual and social identity, such as race/ethnic background, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or religion. These principles serve as the cornerstone for creating an academic environment where students can develop strong communities while exploring legal issues from multiple angles while expanding their understanding of the legal profession and the laws that regulate it.

Students take part in various experiential activities during their coursework. Advocacy students might participate in mock trials and write appellate briefs; transactional law students could join in real-world transactions, while upper-level courses offer advanced skills training such as trial advocacy or contract drafting and negotiation.

Career and Professional Development at the School of Law offers students and alumni externship, residency, clerkship, and postgraduate job opportunities with public interest organizations. In addition, they host programming and recruitment fairs. Furthermore, the Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF), which connects all three Minnesota law schools to pro bono opportunities and summer public interest fellowships, is another prominent supporter. MJF collaborates on hosting an annual Minnesota Justice Symposium conference that brings legal practitioners and students together to explore cutting-edge legal issues.

Graduation

Mitchell Hamline School of Law stands out in its delivery of innovative teaching, tailoring law school experiences to each learner. Established by the merger between William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law in 2015, this law school stands out among Midwest law schools as a top option for rigorous yet accessible legal education – offering both the JD degree as well as LLM programs tailored specifically for lawyers and non-lawyers as well as part-time and online programs with longstanding relationships to Hamline University that enable dual degrees to be earned simultaneously by students studying two schools!

Mitchell Hamline students gain from learning from professors and each other. To foster an environment in which differences can be respected and explored freely. Mitchell Hamline’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion works closely with administration, faculty, and staff to provide an environment where all students feel safe exploring all facets of their social and cultural identities without fear.

The School of Law boasts 19,000 graduates who can be found working across Minnesota, across the nation, and internationally in law firms, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Many alumni serve as leaders within their community while often being sought out by other professionals for advice or insight. Many are considered Minnesota’s most influential citizens, and we are honored that among our graduates are four U.S. senators, three governors of Minnesota State Government, 13 judges on the Minnesota Supreme Court, and numerous elected officials – making us all better citizens!

The School of Law dates back to 1900 when five prominent St. Paul lawyers developed an innovative concept for legal education: they opened a night law school that allowed people flexibility in scheduling their legal studies around their busy lives. That vision still guides today’s School of Law as it strives to deliver rigorous but flexible legal studies so graduates can serve their clients and communities well.