875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA
Phone: 1.888.962.5529 | Website: www.wmitchell.edu
Introduction
William Mitchell is a private, independent law school that was founded in 1900 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Known as "the lawyer's law school," William Mitchell is known internationally for providing the analytical and practical skills necessary to practice law. Our curriculum and clinical programs are designed to instill "practical wisdom" with a focus on the practical skills lawyers need.
William Mitchell is best known for its intellectual property and commercial law programs, along with many other specialties. Our clinical programs are nationally renowned, along with our public interest work and legal writing. William Mitchell currently serves over 1,000 law students and offers both part-time and full-time programs. We have over 12,000 alumni and have produced many outstanding attorneys, judges, and business and civic leaders, among them the 15th chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, Warren E. Burger '31, and the first woman to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court, Rosalie E. Wahl '67.
Our classrooms use contemporary design and technology to enhance learning. Deep work surfaces and wireless networking accommodate student laptop computers while high-tech teaching tools allow professors to augment lectures with vibrant presentations. Our beautiful campus is home to a diverse student body, 40 full-time internationally recognized scholars and professors, and more than 100 lawyers and judges who teach part time.
William Mitchell is located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minnesota, home of more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any other US city. The Twin Cities has all of the business, commercial, shopping, sports, arts, and other attributes of larger cities, but it is much more affordable and reasonably priced.
LLM Program
The LLM program at William Mitchell College of Law introduces foreign law graduates to the legal system of the United States and provides the opportunity to learn and apply advanced legal concepts in specialized areas of law, such as intellectual property, international and comparative law, business and corporate law, and others. After completing an intensive three-week course entitled Introduction to the Legal System of the United States, LLM students work with a faculty advisor to design a course of study that includes rigorous law courses, the opportunity to work directly with practicing lawyers and judges, and completion of a Master's Paper. The program brings together a global community of lawyers to train practicing lawyers to prevent and resolve issues involving US law and to introduce law teachers to the interactive, experiential teaching techniques for which William Mitchell is known.
The LLM program at William Mitchell is unique in that it allows students to create their own LLM program. LLM students work closely with their faculty advisor on selecting the coursework and designing their own LLM degree. Students can customize their own LLM degree with either a specialized focus or a general degree in American Law. Students will have the flexibility to create their own program and put together course and seminar schedules that reflect a certain practice specialty or academic focus that is of particular interest to them. Examples of possible degrees include Intellectual Property, Business Law, Dispute Resolution and Negotiation, International and Comparative Law, and Instruction in American Law (for faculty).
Program Specifics
Customized Curriculum: The LLM program at William Mitchell is designed as a "self-directed" curriculum. LLM students at William Mitchell can choose their own certification or focus, such as intellectual property, dispute resolution, business law, teaching American law, etc. LLM students can also pursue a general course plan in American law. - Faculty Advisor: Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who assists them in putting together the right combination of courses to meet their particular objectives. LLM students will meet with their faculty advisor throughout the year. The faculty advisor will also assist LLM students in writing their Master's Paper and supervise their research.
- Courses: Before beginning the regular fall semester, LLM students take an intensive introductory course that will help them prepare for the regular school year and also help them begin the process of picking a research topic for the Master's Paper. Once the regular school year begins, LLM students will have the opportunity to choose from William Mitchell's full list of courses, including highly interactive skills courses and internships. LLM students also receive ongoing support on language skills, as needed.
Program Details
- Application: Information about how to apply is available at the LLM for Foreign Lawyers: Application for 2012–13 website. Admission will be based on the following criteria:
- The applicant's academic promise as demonstrated by previous academic performance;
- References that demonstrate the applicant's scholarly ability and professional qualifications;
- The applicant's professional plans, goals, and special interests as reflected on the personal statement and résumé; and
- The applicant's English language proficiency.
- Overview:
- Required credits: 22
- Application deadline: March 1
- Application fee: $75
- Tuition: $29,000 (2012–2013)
Contact Information
For additional information about this program, please visit the LLM website or contact:
Jim Hilbert
Director, LLM Program
William Mitchell College of Law
875 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
USA
Phone: 651.290.7507
Fax: 651.290.6414
E-mail: jim.hilbert@wmitchell.edu
Special Programs
- International Programs: William Mitchell has a strong presence in the international community. From our international programs for students to the global work of our alumni and faculty, we understand the value in providing students with an international perspective. Our students study abroad. Our alumni work throughout the world. And our faculty are internationally renowned for their legal expertise, scholarship, teaching, and public service. In addition to our LLM program, William Mitchell has a visiting scholar program and a summer institute on American law for foreign law students and lawyers.
- Clinical and Simulation Programs: Our Legal Practice Center is the heart of William Mitchell's practical legal education, with nationally ranked skills courses and clinical programs and real-world learning opportunities. William Mitchell's legal practica and advanced simulation courses immerse students in the areas of general practice, business practice, and advocacy through innovative hands-on learning exercises pioneered by our faculty and staff. Students gain practical experience in the skills they will put to work as practicing attorneys.
- Academic Centers: William Mitchell has several academic centers and institutes in critical areas of the legal profession. Centers and institutes allow students to gain real-world experience by working closely with faculty and attorneys who are leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in these specialized areas of law. Our centers and institutes cover negotiation, intellectual property, national security, business and corporate law, elder law, Indian law, and public health law.
Student Services and Organizations
William Mitchell has more than 50 student organizations. Students are encouraged to attend meetings and become familiar with student organizations of their interest. The purpose of our student organizations is to promote life balance and to provide opportunities for enhancement of the academic, cultural, social, and recreational aspects of student life. Through participation in programs and activities, student organizations and their members play a vital educational and social role at William Mitchell and contribute to a campus rich with energy and opportunity for the development of our students.
Career Services
Our Office of Career and Professional Development is a full-service, professional career services office committed to helping students and alumni in their job searches, ranging from career-planning advice to extensive electronic resources that are accessible from anywhere in the world. Students and alumni are encouraged to take advantage of the more than 60 career-related programs and resources, including one-on-one counseling, career assessment, job fairs, workplace data and surveys, career tip sheets, and bar exam information. Our students also take advantage of William Mitchell's broad network of practicing lawyers for practical training and in-the-field placement.
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