Clinics at William Mitchell College of law
Clinics at William Mitchell College of law
I want to thank you for everything that you have done for me and for getting me in to court. It meant a lot to me to me what you've done for me. I also want to let you know... that I'm starting to build a relationship with my son. Thank you once again for everything you've done for me.
– Christen Driscoll, former client
A law book never quite prepares you for the actual practice of law. It doesn’t teach you about court deadlines. It doesn’t teach you how to communicate with opposing counsel or how to manage client expectations. You learn these skills through practice – it’s perhaps fitting they refer to our profession as the “practice of law.”
Clinic courses, such as the LAMP Clinic, are an invaluable teaching tool for law schools and law students. It allowed me to develop litigation skills that I use today.
My very first court appearance ever was as a LAMP student attorney. I appeared in Dakota County on behalf of a client on a contested child support matter. I remember the nervousness and excitement of being in the courtroom, a feeling that I still have to this day every time I enter a courtroom. As a third year law student, I felt a sense of purpose. That I was able to put what I learned in the classroom, to work.
As an alumna of William Mitchell, I am very proud of the skills courses taught at this school, and especially of the LAMP Clinic. It is a great clinic, taught by a wonderfully committed faculty that believes in teaching law students through example and real-life mentoring.
Partner at HolsteinKremer
The LAMP Clinic gave me the opportunity not only to make practical, concrete use of my legal knowledge, but an opportunity for real-life litigation experience while still developing my skills as an attorney. Most importantly, through the LAMP Clinic, I shared in representing men and women in the shadows of our society, people whose legal problems and need for legal services would otherwise go unsolved and ignored. I recommend the LAMP Clinic to anyone who is serious about leading a courageous life in the law.
Attorney with the Anoka County Public Defender's Office
The LAMP clinic has been the most valuable and exciting part of my law school experience. And the clinic supervisor has been my greatest law school mentor. I feel quite fortunate for having had the opportunity, as a law student, to work with real clients – with real issues.
LAMP Intern
Participating in the LAMP Clinic was one of my most rewarding experiences in law school. It gave me real lawyer experiences, with real clients, real opposing counsel, and real judges, and prepared me for the work I currently do as an employment litigation attorney.
Through the LAMP Clinic, I helped several clients. One of my favorites was a client who was in prison for a non-violent crime and seeking visitation with his children prior to deportation. Although he was going through a very difficult time, he took the time to write me stating, “Next Monday, I go back to Mexico. And I will say I am going back happy because I got to see my kids . . . I want you to be proud of yourself and all your hard work.” I still keep that letter in my office today.
Nichols Kaster & Anderson, PLLP
Working in the LAMP clinic provided me with more practical, hands-on experience than the legal training I received in all of my other law school classes combined. My clinic experience immersed me in the practice of law, allowing me to manage my own caseload and preparing me for the challenges of working as a new attorney.
Equally important was the guidance I received from my supervising attorney, who was always available to offer me instruction. There is simply no substitute for the real-world practice clinic students are offered through researching legal issues, writing legal documents, filing court papers and making oral arguments before the court.
Staff counsel with CVS/Caremark Corporation