Profile
Profile
Wendy ’06 may be more prepared than most students when it comes time to take the Bar exam. After all, she has already passed one Bar, and that was before she even considered becoming an attorney. The exam was for the Patent Bar, and Wendy, formerly a chemist at HB Fuller Company, took the test to strengthen her career in the 
company’s patent department.
Not long after, she began thinking about law school. The attorneys she worked with -- including a William Mitchell graduate -- encouraged her, and she soon discovered William Mitchell’s strong reputation in intellectual property law. She quit her job and began as a full-time law student in the fall of 2003, with the goal of graduating in 2006 and starting a new career as a Twin Cities patent attorney.
“Leaving a steady, full-time job was a hard decision to make. (My family’s response: you want to do WHAT?) It was comforting to know that if going to school full-time did not work out financially, I could switch to a part-time program and still complete my legal education.
The IP program is why I chose William Mitchell. However, I really enjoyed studying property law my first year. Professor Wenona Whitfield, my property law professor, was always willing to answer my questions. I was comfortable talking with Professor Whitfield about my experience as a non-traditional student attending classes as a full-time day student. Another good experience was participation in the Mentor Program. My mentor, a patent attorney, provided invaluable advice to me as a non-traditional 1L.
I am still a full-time student. I’m a 2L. It is more difficult than I expected because it is so different from undergraduate study or work. It is harder to balance school and outside activities as there is always something more to read or a class outline that needs updating. It’s hard to put the books away.
Having had a career and all of the ups and downs of life has helped me with the demands of law school. I know that even if I have a really stressful day and things aren’t going well, tomorrow will be better. If not, I can find the resources to help me get through. At William Mitchell, the support and friendliness of my classmates made the toughest days better.
I’m lucky because my husband respects my need to study. I have two pet birds who have me trained very well. The cockatoo thinks she’s in charge. She keeps me entertained with her antics while I study. She’ll run off with bookmarks and case printouts and then sit with me quietly for hours. Pets are great for law students. They will always be happy to just be with you while you study.
What was easier than expected was giving up the financial rewards associated with having a full-time job. I don’t have extra money to spend, but I don’t have any time to spend it, and find I can go without having the ‘things’ I was used to.
The greatest personal reward so far has been writing on to the Law Review and becoming a staff member.
What has surprised me about law school is how much I enjoyed my first year classes, even though they were not IP classes. I hadn’t counted on developing interests in other areas of law. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. William Mitchell provides a lot of opportunities for students whether or not they know what type of law they want to practice upon graduation. The professors are passionate about the law they teach, and I’m looking forward to taking IP classes with William Mitchell professors.
Law school is a huge commitment. [Prospective students should] choose a school that you will be comfortable attending and fits your needs. Go to the open house events, and talk to alumni and current students of the school. People were happy to talk to me about William Mitchell, which helped me decide to attend. It was the right choice for me.”