Mitchell Hamline has combined those two approaches in a new, well-rounded curriculum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re drawing on the historical strengths of each of the schools in doing that,\u201d said Kate Kruse, Mitchell Hamline\u2019s associate dean for academic affairs.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the American Bar Association gave Mitchell Hamline the go-ahead in December 2015 to begin operation, the combined faculty voted to make skills courses in both advocacy and problem-solving required for students.<\/p>\n
![\"RS17257_159_WmMitchell-IndianLawClass_10-23-14\"](\"\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2016\/01\/RS17257_159_WmMitchell-IndianLawClass_10-23-14-1-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cIt was the strong consensus of the faculty that these two types of courses together comprised the range of skills that any lawyer should have,\u201d Kruse said.<\/p>\n
Students who enter MHSL in the fall of 2016 will be required to take a skills-based course like trial advocacy, which is already a requirement for current students. To be an effective advocate, attorneys need to understand the techniques of persuasion, and storytelling.<\/p>\n
Students will also be required to take a problem-solving course, such as mediation, negotiation, or transactions and settlements.<\/p>\n
The new curriculum will give students the foundational skills to be effective attorneys, helping them advocate for clients and bring adversaries together in constructive ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you understand the underlying interests that disputing parties have, you can bring them together into a win-win solution,\u201d Kruse said. \u201cDeveloping those skills across the board helps you do anything you want to do with a law degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Kruse thinks that will give Mitchell Hamline graduates an advantage in the workplace\u2014whether in the courtroom, in government, or in business.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll be advocating and problem-solving if you\u2019re a trial lawyer, a corporate executive, or in the compliance department of health care company,\u201d Kruse said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The creation of Mitchell Hamline School of Law combined the strengths of its predecessor schools. William Mitchell School of Law was well-regarded for the practical litigation skills it gave students, allowing them to step into a courtroom with confidence. Hamline University School of Law was known for giving students problem-solving skills through the Dispute Resolution … <\/p>\n