ALUMNI NEWS
Where things stand When William Mitchell and Hamline Law combined in December 2015, most programs from each school continued under Mitchell Hamline. Here’s a brief update on some well-known programs from the legacy schools and information on new initiatives created after the combination.
Dispute Resolution Institute:
HYBRID J.D. program: Accepted its
Marked its 25th anniversary in 2016. No. 5 in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
third cohort of students in fall 2016, bringing total enrolled to nearly 280. Had its one-of-a-kind variance renewed in December 2016 by the ABA for another four years.
Health Law Institute: Marked its 10th
anniversary in 2016. No. 11 in latest U.S. News rankings. Intellectual Property Institute:
Professor Sharon Sandeen took over as director, replacing Professor Ken Port, who serves as an associate director, as does Professor Carl Moy. Center for Law and Business:
Represents a combination of business and law programs at the legacy schools. Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Louis Ainsworth ’77 (WMCL) is director, replacing Leanne Fuith ’10 (WMCL), who took over as dean of career and professional development. Career and Professional Development: Helps students develop
individualized career plans. Connects students with alums in multiple ways, including new “Off the Record” career conversation series. Mitchell Hamline Law Review: First
issue published last year as Vol. 42, No. 1, using numbering system of the older of the two law reviews.
Weekend J.D. program: Redesigned
to incorporate online learning. Starting in fall 2017, students come to campus seven weekends a semester instead of 13, working the rest of the time online.
Ongoing affiliation with Hamline University Hamline University Associate Provost Jill Barclift, a faculty member at Mitchell Hamline, meets regularly with Chris Szaj, Mitchell Hamline’s vice president of community relations and operations, about matters affecting both institutions. Current and former leaders at Hamline University—including President Fayneese Miller, President Emerita Linda Hanson, and Law Dean Emerita Jean Holloway—serve on the Mitchell Hamline Board of Trustees. 3 + 3 program—Students spend three years at Hamline and three years at Mitchell Hamline, finishing at the end of six years with both an undergraduate and a J.D. degree.
Clinical program: No. 22 in latest
U.S. News rankings. 13 clinical opportunities are available. Residencies: Students work inside
law firms, corporations, government, courthouses, and nonprofits in their final semester, giving them unmatched opportunities for practical, real-world experience and a smooth transition from law school to practice. Student scholarships: 230 named
scholarships are available to students. Alumni CLEs: Monthly CLEs for
alumni continue, featuring presentations by faculty and alumni. These one-hour CLEs are complimentary for alumni and are available via webcast.
Here’s what’s new Executive J.D.: A part-time enrollment option available for the first time in fall 2017. Students come to campus twice a semester and spend the rest of the time doing their coursework online. Includes a leadership focus and allows graduates to sit for the bar exam in every state.
Dual degrees—Law students can combine their J.D. with the following master’s degrees from Hamline University: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFA), Master in Public Administration (MPA), Master in Nonprofit Management (MNM)
Mitchell Hamline students can purchase a membership to use Hamline University’s recreational facilities, and law school employees and eligible dependents can get tuition assistance for programs at Hamline. Hamline faculty can attend CLE programs at Mitchell Hamline for a reduced rate.
Professional Legal Education: Online certificate programs in Cybersecurity and Privacy Law and in Human Resources Compliance designed for professionals. A program in Law and Leadership in Health Care Administration will be available starting in spring 2018.
Mobile Law Network: Specially outfitted RV nicknamed the “Wheels of Justice” brings students to locations around Minnesota to offer free legal assistance.
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MITCHELL HAMLINE LAW