Hamline University School of Law: A Historical Overview of Programs and Rankings

Hamline University School of Law, once a prominent private law school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, played a significant role in legal education. This article explores the history of Hamline University School of Law, its programs, and its rankings before its merger with William Mitchell College of Law in 2015 to form Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Establishment and Early Years

Hamline University School of Law was founded in 1972 as the Midwestern School of Law by a group of legal professionals. Affiliated with Hamline University, the law school quickly established itself as a provider of legal education, offering both full- and part-time programs leading to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Additionally, the school offered a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree tailored for international lawyers.

Academic Programs and Features

Hamline University School of Law provided a comprehensive legal education, focusing on various areas of law. The curriculum was designed to prepare students for the practice of law, with an emphasis on practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program

The J.D. program was the flagship offering of Hamline University School of Law. It catered to both full-time and part-time students, accommodating individuals with different schedules and commitments. The program aimed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the legal profession.

Master of Law (LL.M.) Program

The LL.M. program was specifically designed for international lawyers seeking to enhance their understanding of the U.S. legal system. This program provided a specialized curriculum that addressed the unique needs and interests of international legal professionals.

Law Journals

Hamline University School of Law published two law journals that served as forums for legal scholarship and discussion:

Hamline Law Review: This journal was highly regarded and ranked among the top 20% of the Most Cited Law Reviews. It featured scholarly articles on a wide range of legal topics.
Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy: This journal focused on public policy issues, providing a platform for discussions related to executive, legislative, and judicial decisions at all levels of government.

Both journals were staffed by Hamline law students, providing them with valuable experience in legal research, writing, and editing.

Practical Training and Extracurricular Activities

Hamline University School of Law emphasized practical training to complement its academic programs. Students had opportunities to participate in clinics, externships, and other experiential learning activities to gain real-world legal experience.

The School of Law also fielded student-run sports teams, particularly in ice hockey, fostering a sense of community and providing opportunities for recreation and competition.

Rankings and Recognition

Hamline University School of Law consistently sought to improve its rankings and recognition within the legal education community. While specific rankings varied from year to year, the school generally aimed to provide a high-quality legal education that would prepare its graduates for successful careers.

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Hamline University is ranked No. 22 in Regional Universities Midwest. It's also ranked No. 16 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Tuition and Cost of Living

The cost of attending Hamline University School of Law was a significant consideration for prospective students. For the 2014-2015 academic year, tuition was $37,204. The estimated cost of living off-campus for a Hamline law student was $19,883, bringing the total estimated cost of attendance to over $57,000 per year.

Employment Outcomes

Employment outcomes are a critical factor in evaluating the success of a law school. According to Hamline's official employment disclosures required by the ABA, 44.8% of the Class of 2013 obtained full-time, long-term employment requiring a J.D.

Merger with William Mitchell College of Law

In 2015, Hamline University School of Law merged with William Mitchell College of Law to create Mitchell Hamline School of Law. This merger combined the strengths and resources of both schools, resulting in a more robust educational institution. The newly formed Mitchell Hamline School of Law is located at the former William Mitchell campus at 875 Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Notable Alumni

Hamline University School of Law produced a number of notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, government, and other fields. Some of these alumni include:

Read also: Funding Your Education at Hamline

Don Betzold: Former Minnesota State Representative.
Donovan Frank: Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Michael Gableman: Former Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
John Lesch: Former Minnesota State Representative.
Carly Melin: Former Minnesota State Representative.
Sally Olsen: Former Minnesota Deputy Secretary of State.
Van Tran: Former Minnesota State Representative.
Charles Wiger: Former Minnesota State Senator.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law Today

Mitchell Hamline School of Law continues to build on the legacies of its predecessor institutions. The school offers a variety of programs, including full-time, part-time, and hybrid online J.D. options. Mitchell Hamline is recognized for its remarkable academic programs, faculty, and student-friendly environment. Voted Best Law School and Best Non-Association Continuing Legal Education Provider by readers of Finance and Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer in 2024. Mitchell Hamline’s dispute resolution program, anchored by the Dispute Resolution Institute, ranks in a tie for 7th in the nation, making it 24 consecutive years the program has been ranked 9th or higher. Also highly ranked were health law, legal writing, clinical training, trial advocacy, and intellectual property law. Won Silver in Graduate/Professional Education in the Star Tribune “Minnesota’s Best” Readers’ Choice survey in 2024, after winning Gold in 2022 and 2023. Students Austyn Boothe and Daniel Sheikhan won first place in the 2021 International Negotiation Competition. The Warren E. Mitchell Hamline’s strength in practical training, specialty areas of law, and part-time offerings are well known and ranked nationwide. We make these strengths available to students on our St. Our Health Law Institute serves as a hub in the health law world for law students, attorneys, health care practitioners, and business professionals. Robust IP curriculum taught by faculty experts recognized around the world. Serving families in need. The practice of family law varies widely-from dealing with multimillion dollar divorce, to international adoption, or child welfare. Spending just a few weeks per year on campus, you can study the law at Mitchell Hamline. And you can do it from anywhere in the world. Our four-year, part-time program has enrollment options for students living outside the Minneapolis-St. Keep your job.

In 2025, Mitchell Hamline School of Law reported an acceptance rate of 60.4%, with entering students presenting LSAT scores in the 149-157 range and GPAs between 2.99 and 3.64. Bar examination performance indicated 72.3% of graduates passed on the first attempt, compared to a state average of 78.8%. Employment outcomes revealed 40.9% of graduates were employed at the time of graduation, with 72.2% achieving full-credit outcomes within ten months. Mitchell Hamline maintained a total enrollment of 1,167 students and ranked No. 154 in Best Law Schools and No.

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