A leader in experiential learning
Mitchell Hamline has a history of pioneering opportunities for students to practice legal skills. Our students were among the first in the nation to represent real clients through a partnership with a local charity in 1922.
Now, students can start volunteering right away with the Minnesota Justice Foundation and have numerous opportunities for interaction with clients in later years through clinics, externships, and residencies.
Students across all of our enrollment options have opportunities to participate in clinics and externships.
Professor Natalie Netzel ’15, director of the clinical program introduces you to clinical legal education at Mitchell Hamline.
Clinical Program
Under the supervision of professors, students can work in 13 clinics with clients who are mothers, father, immigrants, leaders of nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. All are real people with real legal problems, and our students drive their representation.
Scotty Ducharme ’19 tells how his family’s experience with a Legal Aid attorney years earlier inspired him to come to Mitchell Hamline and eventually work in Child Protection Clinic.
Nadine Graves ’17 and Whitney Buchelt ’18 talk about their experience in the Child Protection Clinic at Mitchell Hamline.
Externships
We offer more than 200 externships at prestigious organizations that allow you to earn credit outside of the law school by working with practicing attorneys in the community. Students work across a range of practice areas, including health law, business law, alternative dispute resolution, and criminal law.
ExternshipsResidencies
At Mitchell Hamline, students can secure full-time, on-site placements working under the supervision of practicing attorneys. It’s a key part of our bridge-to-practice programming, offering experienced students a close-up look at the world of legal work.
Nou Her ’18 completed a residency with the Minnesota Vikings in spring 2018. In this video, she shares how this full-time, off-campus experience helped to prepare her to practice the law.