Mitchell Hamline serves students interested in careers in business as well as those who want to work as business lawyers in corporate settings and law firms. Through its integrated curriculum, Mitchell Hamline provides students with the legal and business knowledge, skills, and experiences they’ll need to succeed as business lawyers, compliance professionals, business managers and leaders.
Courses are available on a wide range of topics including accounting and finance, business strategy, planning and capitalization, compliance and risk management, taxation, business ethics and communications, organizational structure and governance and mergers, acquisitions and other business transactions.
Selected Curriculum Highlights
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Business Communication Skills
This skills course prepares law students to make effective presentations to business people seeking a lawyers’ advice on business matters. Students who complete the course successfully will know how to prepare and deliver concise and well-structured presentations that inform and persuade. -
Business Ethics
This course explores the ethical dilemmas of attorneys in business transactions. Students evaluate the ethical the role of business lawyers and managers by identifying ethical dilemmas and developing practical, legal and ethical solutions for attorneys and business managers.
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Corporate Accounting and Financial Reporting
This course provides an overview of accounting and finance concepts and the practical uses of accounting and financial information. Topics include the application of accounting data and finance principles to assess business performance, attract capital, make investments, evaluate and compensate employees, and make other business decisions. Students apply accounting and finance methodologies to establish strategies and solve problems that achieve business objectives. -
Mergers and Acquisitions
This course focuses on the legal issues, financing considerations, and business strategies involved in a typical merger or acquisition. The course is based on a simulation of a transaction, and the goal is to introduce students to the art of doing a deal. Students act as counsel in structuring the transaction, performing due diligence, drafting and negotiating the transaction documents, and closing the deal. -
The Law and Business Externship
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to observe, participate in, analyze, and reflect upon the work of a business lawyer or business professional. Students perform fieldwork under the supervision of a lawyer in a company or law firm setting. Learn more about the Law and Business Externship.
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The Start-Up Business Enterprise
This course provides students with a unique perspective on many facets of the start-up business enterprise—from creation and capitalization of the business entity to skills needed for day-to-day business operations. Topics include strategic planning, entity choice and governance, financing, human capital, intellectual property, marketing, and exit strategies. A goal of the course is to assist students to succeed as business lawyers, business leaders, and business owners.
Start-Up Business Enterprise event video
Watch as students in the Start-Up Business Enterprise course apply the business principles discussed in class as they pitch start-up business plans developed throughout the semester to a panel of local investors.
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Transactions and Settlements
This skills course teaches negotiation, drafting, and advocacy in both the transactional and litigation contexts. The focus is on how lawyers represent clients in negotiating and drafting contracts and settlement agreements. The course also covers ethical issues arising in lawyering. Examples are drawn from a variety of contexts, including business, intellectual property, real estate, and litigation, and applied through simulations, short case studies, exercises, and class discussion.