Mitchell Hamline School of Law

About Mitchell Hamline School of Law

President and Dean

Mitchell Hamline leader emphasizes career preparation, expanding access to education and justice

Mark Gordon

Mark C. Gordon is the first president and dean at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. After presiding over the combination of William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law in December 2015, Dean Gordon has launched a variety of initiatives at the combined school to increase access to education, sharpen career preparation, emphasize community service, and extend legal education to non-J.D. students.

Prior to the combination, Gordon served as president and dean at William Mitchell, starting in July 2015. Previously, he spent six years as president of Defiance College in Ohio and was dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law for seven years. Gordon’s career also includes serving as an associate professor in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, as general deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and on the staff of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Gordon graduated magna cum laude with a juris doctor from Harvard Law School. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University.

He keeps in regular touch with alumni, sharing news in a monthly email as well as inviting graduates’ input on programs and direction.

Mark Gordon in the news

Travel’s a family affair for globetrotter Mark Gordon
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, June 2017

Minnesotans You Should Know
Recognition, Twin Cities Business, December 2016

Mark Gordon talks with Roshini Rajkumar
Radio podcast, WCCO 830 AM/CBS Minnesota, November 21, 2016

21st century education at Mitchell Hamline
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, September 2016

Mitchell Hamline leader has experience, record of innovation
Mitchell Hamline News, December 2015

Latimer endorses Mitchell Hamline combination and Dean Gordon’s leadership
Commentary, Star Tribune, October 2015

After merger, Mitchell Hamline has a chance to renew legal education
Editorial, Star Tribune, August 2015

‘We are going to create the 21st century model of legal education’
Story, Minnesota Lawyer, July 2015

College town connections to foster
Editorial, Pioneer Press, July 2015

Mark C. Gordon
Biography and bibliography

Studying With the President
Story, Inside Higher Ed, March 2012

Video: Mark Gordon’s Inaugural Remarks, April 2016

Dean's National Advisory Council

Daniel Bromberg
Partner, Quinn Emanuel Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles, Calif.

Micki Chen
VP, Deputy General Counsel, Washington, D.C., Verizon Wireless

Jeremy M. Creelan
Partner, Jenner & Block, New York, N.Y.

Kevin Davis
President, Thyogen Group, Elmsford, N.Y.

Joseph Evall
Partner, Gibson Dunn, New York, N.Y.

Bruce K. Fenton
Partner, Pepper Hamilton, Philadelphia, Pa.

John F. Gibbs
VP, State Government & Regulatory Affairs, Comcast, Minneapolis, Minn.

Peter M. Gilhuly
Partner, Latham & Watkins, New York, N.Y.

Randy M. Goodman
Partner, K&L Gates, Washington, D.C.

George N. Grammas
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, Washington, D.C.

Michael M. Grover
Executive Director of Government Affairs, Cox Communications, Atlanta, Ga.

Kenneth Hemler
Senior Counsel, Commercial Law, Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.

Joan Humes
VP and Chief Deputy General Counsel, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn.

Giovanni C. Hunt
Executive VP, Blizzard Entertainment, Irvine, Calif.

Mark R. Kirsons
Partner, Sidley Austin, Chicago, Ill.

Christopher T. Lenhart
Senior VP & Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, Minn.

Michael C. Lueder
Partner, Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Cynthia D. Mann
Partner, Arnold & Porter, New York, N.Y.

Keith Nelsen
Executive VP, General Counsel, and Chief Risk Officer, Best Buy Co., Richfield, Minn.

David Patent
Former President and Chief Operating Officer, Rush Street Gaming, Chicago, Ill.

Jose L. Patiño
Chair, IP Litigation, Foley & Lardner, San Diego, Calif.

Sylvia A. Quast
General Counsel, US Environmental Protection Agency - Region 9, San Francisco, Calif.

David D. Ransom
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery, Washington, D.C.

Jeffrey Rosenthal
Partner, Cleary Gottlieb, New York, N.Y.

John P. Sieger
Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman, Chicago, Ill.

Harry P. Weitzel
Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary, Enterprise Products, Houston, Texas

Patricia M. Zweibel
Counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Chicago, Ill.