Practical wisdom through public service

Practical wisdom through public service

Clinics, externships, the Marshall-Brennan

Constitutional Literacy Project, and the Minnesota

Justice Foundation

Each year, William Mitchell students choose to serve their communities and gain valuable, real-world experience by performing meaningful public service. They provide assistance to those who otherwise could not afford legal representation. They perform legal work for government agencies and non-profit organizations. They teach in high schools. And they volunteer for a variety of other projects that make a positive difference in our community. William Mitchell recognizes the valuable role of public service in preparing students for successful careers after graduation, so the law school offers a variety of ways for students to volunteer, provide pro bono services, and be part of service initiatives in the community. Every student who wishes to do so may be involved in the Minnesota Justice Foundation, clinics, or externships. Many earn academic credit. Some find permanent jobs after graduation. All build skills and make a positive difference. At William Mitchell, public service is about more than volunteering your time—it’s about using the legal knowledge and skills you’ve gained in the classroom to create a better community for your neighbors and a brighter future for yourself.

At William Mitchell, public service isn’t a requirement—it’s part of our culture

Making a real difference through clinics. Real clients. Real experience. Real law.

Upper-level students practice law in William Mitchell’s clinical program, which is located on-campus in the Rosalie Wahl Legal Practice Center. Since our clinical program began in 1973, thousands of students have served tens of thousands of clients who might not otherwise have had access to legal representation. Students’ knowledge of the law is put to the test, their legal practice skills are sharpened, their judgment honed. The work is rigorous and important. Just like the real world. Under the supervision of professors, students work with clients who are mothers, fathers, immigrants, leaders of non-profit organizations, and small-business owners. Some are elderly. Some are unemployed. Some have been accused of crimes. Some simply want help making the world a better place. They are real people with real legal issues. And because of this, our students get real experience.

In clinics, our students:

l represent low-income renters

l handle unemployment compensation appeals for employees

l represent incarcerated persons in civil matters

l provide legal services and assistance to women as they leave prison

l work with clients to help prepare wills or health care directives

l obtain tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations

l draft contracts for non-profit organizations

l file patent or trademark applications

l work with community groups and small non-profits on legislative initiatives and community problems

l obtain citizenship for immigrants.

William Mitchell Clinics

l Business Law Clinic

l Child Protection Clinic

l Civil Advocacy Clinic

l Community Development Clinic

l Criminal Appeals Clinic

l Immigration Law Clinic

l Indian Law Clinic

l Intellectual Property Clinic

l Law and Psychiatry Clinic

l Legal Assistance to Minnesota

Prisoners Clinic

l The Reentry Clinic

l Legal Planning Clinic for Tax-

Exempt Organizations and Low

Income Clients

l Misdemeanor Clinic

Clinics: reaching out into the community

William Mitchell’s clinical program is

ranked number one in the state and

number 25 nationally by U.S. News

& World Report. It was one of the

first programs established at a U.S.

law school and remains an excellent

opportunity for students who want

to obtain the knowledge, skill, and

the gratification of working with

actual clients.

We are committed to public service

and our programs are essential to

the William Mitchell community and

beyond.

Externships: make a difference where it matters most to you

William Mitchell’s Externship Program allows you choose where you want to make a difference. From supporting the rule of law to ensuring that the accused have access to a vigorous defense to helping military veterans—you have an array of meaningful opportunities through the Externship Program. Externships allow students to earn academic credit and gain valuable real-world experience by working off campus with practicing attorneys. More importantly, they allow students to work in an area of law that interests them—and work to make that area more effective, more efficient, and more just. Students help make the courts run smoothly by working as judicial clerks. They help deliver government services by working with

state and federal agencies. And they serve the under-privileged by working as public defenders. By the time your externship ends, you’ll have grown your professional network, built your resume, and helped ensure that the justice system works for everyone. Externship opportunities include:

Civil Rights Litigation and Policy

Minnesota Court of Appeals

Compliance

Criminal Justice

Elder Justice

Family Law

Government Agency

Holistic Public Defender

Veterans Law

Independent Externships

More ways to make a positive difference

The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy ProjectTeaching high school students about the power of the U.S. Constitution

The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project provides upper-level William Mitchell students with the opportunity to teach high school classes about the constitution, the legal system, and how both work together to resolve conflict and protect rights. High school students learn valuable lessons about their rights. Mitchell students gain valuable insight into constitutional law and improve their research and presentation skills. It’s a unique public service opportunity available to only a small percentage of law students across the country, and William Mitchell is the only law school in Minnesota with a Marshall-Brennan chapter.

Minnesota Justice FoundationA valuable community resource

To facilitate pro bono and volunteer work among Mitchell students, the Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) matches interested students with volunteer opportunities. MJF is a nonprofit organization that promotes social justice and improves legal services to those who have been under-represented by the legal profession. Through MJF, students have the opportunity to work with lawyers in a variety of legal advice settings or to complete research projects for lawyers who have taken clients and cases on a pro-bono basis.

The Pro Se ClinicProviding support to people representing themselves in court

Each Saturday during the school year, Mitchell students and alumni gather in the Warren E. Burger Library to help individuals who are representing themselves in court, known as pro se litigants. People travel from across the state to get help at this student-run clinic. Students build skills while working on issues related to criminal expungement, child support modification, divorce, child custody, and modifying parenting time. It’s a valuable form of community service—for the pro se litigants, for students, and for the judicial system, which can be bogged down by the growing number of people who represent themselves in court but are ill-prepared for the process and procedures.

The Veterans Law ClinicServing the men and women who served the nation

The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) offers legal services to the men and women who have served in the military. Sometimes, though, the cases need more time and attention than MACV can provide. That’s when Mitchell students are called in to help. Through the Veterans Law Clinic, students help veterans resolve legal issues related to family law, employment law, housing, and benefits. It’s an opportunity for students to give back to the men and women who have made sacrifices on behalf of their country.

for a degree in

PRACTICAL WISDOM

01258 2014-06

PUBLIC SERVICE

Office of Admissions

875 Summit AvenueSt. Paul, Minnesota 55105

888-962-5529wmitchell.edu

The wide range of meaningful public service opportunities William Mitchell students enjoy is made possible thanks to support from our community partners, including the law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels, which funds the Faegre Baker Daniels Public Service Endowment.

Learn more about how William Mitchell students are making a difference in their communities through public service at wmitchell.edu/publicservice.

Providing support to people representing themselves in court