Didn’t the University of Minnesota Law School start in Pattee Hall? It is now known as Walter F. Mondale Hall. This is a place where legal minds have been shaped for well over a century. Founded in 1888 the University of Minnesota Law School has a rich history of academic excellence.
Originally, the law school was housed in Pattee Hall. It was named after William S. Pattee. He was the school’s first dean serving from 1888 to 1911. Pattee’s personal books became the law library’s first collection. This marked the humble beginning of what would become a leading institution for legal education.
In 1928 the school moved to Fraser Hall. This was named after Prof. Everett Fraser. He served as dean from 1920 to 1948. This move provided more space and resources. It allowed the school to grow.
The University of Minnesota Law School moved to its present building in 1978. The building was originally named the Law Center. A significant expansion occurred between 1999 and 2001. The larger building was renamed Walter F. Mondale Hall. This honored former Vice President Walter Mondale a distinguished alumnus. He graduated in 1956.
The University of Minnesota Law School is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a dynamic hub for legal innovation. It founded the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction CALI with Harvard Law School in 1982. CALI has grown to include nearly every law school in the US. The organization still has offices here.
With 704 professional students the law school maintains an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Admission is selective. Half of the Class of 2024 had a GPA above 3.71. Or they had an LSAT score above 166. The five-year average bar exam passage rate was 96.91%.
Garry W. Jenkins is the law school’s 11th dean. He was formerly associate dean for academic affairs at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He also served as chief operating officer. He was general counsel of the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
Tuition for the 2020–2021 academic year was $43,704 for residents. It was $52,560 for non-residents. Over 95% of students receive financial aid. This includes scholarships. Law School scholarships range from $5,000 to full tuition.
The median starting salary for 2015 graduates entering the private sector was over $115,000. Ninety-three percent of the Class of 2015 was employed as of March 2016. Popular destinations for these graduates included California Minnesota New York Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
The law school ranks among the top 20. This is for law schools whose graduates secured U.S. Supreme Court clerkships. Notable clerks include Kyle D. Hawkins Class of 2009 and Amy L. Bergquist Class of 2007.
Experiential learning is a hallmark of the school. There are 24 nationally recognized legal education clinics. These offer students the chance to handle real legal cases. They work under the supervision of teaching attorneys. Over 50 percent of law students participate in at least one clinic program.
Over 95 percent of second-year J.D. students participate in moot court or a legal journal. The Minnesota Law Review ranks 9th among all law reviews. The Law and Inequality JLI is ranked highly for family law. The Minnesota Journal of Law Science & Technology MJLST is ranked highly for energy law.
The Law Library boasts over 1 million volumes. It is the 7th largest of its kind in the United States. The Riesenfeld Rare Books Research Center houses one of the top three collections of rare legal texts in the nation. The law school acquired the papers of Clarence Darrow for its millionth volume.
The University of Minnesota Law School offers study abroad programs. It opened a summer study program in Beijing in 2006. There are also semester exchange programs with universities in Europe and South America.
Student life is vibrant. The Theatre of the Relatively Talentless T.O.R.T. puts on an annual musical. The Fighting Mondales hockey team competes in intramural and club play.
With about 13000 living alumni the law school has a vast network of legal professionals. Walter Mondale’s legacy continues to inspire students. The law school’s mascot is named the Fighting Mondales. The University of Minnesota Law School remains a cornerstone of legal education. It is committed to producing graduates ready to shape the future.