It’s not like Roger S. Haydock to sit around. The William Mitchell professor of law, special master of the Federal District Court, co-founder of the college’s clinical and skills programs, and writer was also instrumental in founding the Academy of Court-Appointed Masters and the National Arbitration Forum, one of the largest arbitration organizations in the world. He also keeps moving as a motorcycle enthusiast who rides to Sturgis, S.D., for the annual biker rally.
So it comes as no surprise that Professor Haydock’s schedule will be very full during his leave of absence, which began earlier this month. He plans to promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR) nationally and internationally, expand his pro bono efforts, and continue writing books and other publications. He will work as a special master, as well.
“Roger has always had a strong concern for fairness throughout the justice system, for all levels of society,” said Professor Peter Knapp, co-director of the clinical program at William Mitchell, who has worked with Haydock since 1989. “It’s very apparent in his work with the clinics.”
Professor Haydock and Justice Rosalie Wahl ’67 were hired in 1973 to establish the college’s clinical program. Wahl and Haydock created 19 clinical offerings, generating national recognition and high rankings that have continued ever since. The clinical program also provided legal services to many people who could not afford other representation. Since the clinic opened, it has served 18,000 clients, while helping Mitchell students build careers in the law.
“He also put together the college’s lawyering and advocacy classes, both in collaboration with our colleague, John Sonsteng, and independently,” said Knapp.
Since coming to William Mitchell, Haydock has taught trial advocacy, dispute resolution, lawyering, civil procedure, evidence, ADR, international arbitration and mediation, and other procedural, substantive, clinical, and skills courses. He was on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota Judicial College, has taught in several European countries, and has led numerous Continuing Legal Education classes (CLEs).
He has been the mediator for over 500 federal and state cases and arbitrator in over 25 contested cases.
He is one of a select national group of experienced attorneys and former judges who serve in quasi-judicial roles as special masters. They are appointed by a court to handle substantive or procedural issues in complex litigation, including discovery, dispute resolution, and post-trial proceedings.
Haydock's extensive public service includes pro bono mediation and legal services, work as a referee in Ramsey County Conciliation Court, and many talks and presentations on legal matters for the general public. He has authored or co-authored dozens of publications, including law school texts and lawyer practice books. Still, he considers hands-on learning as valuable in its own way as textbook learning. “He has a strong belief that, in addition to learning to think about the law, students need to learn how to work with clients, opposing counsel, and other parties,” said Knapp.
On the first day of his leave, Professor Haydock said he already missed teaching. For their part, his Mitchell colleagues look forward to the day when his motorcycle pulls back into the parking lot.
William Mitchell College of Law, founded in 1900, is an independent, private law school located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The college is known for cultivating practical wisdom and for creating an environment that welcomes both traditional and non-traditional law students. The largest law school in Minnesota, William Mitchell has produced many distinguished leaders at the bench and bar and in the business and civic arenas, among them the 15th Chief Justice of the United States, Warren E. Burger ’31.