William Mitchell Class of 2013 Forum

[legaleagle22]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and would like to ask about first year professors-I have been assigned to my section and will be taking contracts with professor Heidenreich. I have heard that he is a hard grader, but also that he is knowledgable and will provide a rigorous classroom experience that will "stick with you." This both frightens and intrigues me. Please, if you have any advice on how to approach class with professor Heidenreich (or with professor Roberts), I would really appreciate it!
Thanks

[dougroberts]

Professor Heidenreich is the best! Indeed a hard grader, but if you try and give effort you should do fine. Know the Restatements of Contracts cold (just the definitions/rules that are most important/discussed in class, not the comments to the rules necessarily). Know these word-for-word, and make sure your writing skills is up to par. You will lose points for poor writing. I got an A in the class by knowing the Restatements. This is one of the few professors that will make the material stick. He goes slow in class and is boring.

Professor Roberts gives tedious "class notes" that you are to fill out while reading every week. They take longer than the reading, so it angers you. She gives multiple choice quizzes, but the quizzes often cover footnotes or small details, so the averages are like 60-70% each time. I never understood her exam grading, and frankly, it was the only class where I was criticized for my writing abilities.

[legaleagle22]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! Your reply makes me feel better about class with professor Heidenreich (if not a little more nervous about my class with professor Roberts...) Either way I can't wait to start-any other advice about first year success is always welcome!
Thanks again

[high0034]

Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions to share on the following William Mitchell Prof's?

Toussaint - Civil Procedure
Haugen - Contracts
Levine - Torts

I really appreciate any feedback anyone can offer!

[Gunz353]

I am in Section 1 at WM this year, does anyone have any feedback on :

Prince - Torts
Kunz - Contracts
Tinkham - Civ Pro

[ohnowtf]

Haugen and Heidenreich teach from the same syllabus. They do not allow you to bring ANYTHING into the exam. They want to to define every applicable concept. The Restatement is a good place to start.

The academic achievement person has access to their old exams, and will willingly give them out. Get your hands on them. You will notice patterns. They like to test the same concepts over and over (duh). However, what you will notice is 'traps' that they like to test.

They expect quality writing. As in all classes, spend a good 30 minutes outlining the exam. Come prepared with 'pre-frabricated' responses. By 'pre-fab' I mean be able to type your definition and brief explanation of a concept from memory. And define everything, even if it seems silly. (in your first semester, as crazy as it may seem, you need to define what a contract is, what an offer is, what acceptance is, etc). You will find when you start prepping that you may know a concept very well, but it can be difficult putting it into words. If you are prepared you can breeze past that part of the exam and focus on analysis and conclusions.

Finally, make sure to answer the 'call of the question'. They get very upset when people ignore what is being asked of them. For instance, they love to give exams that ask you to 'give advice'. So do it. You will be surprised how many people 'forget' to do it, and jump right into the issues.

If you want to know more, pm me. I had Haugen and did very will in her class.

[legaleagle22]

Thank you for the additional info on class with prof. Heidenreich!

[dougroberts]

Prof. Levine is a great professor. She talks very fast in class, but her hypos are clear and she is funny. You will like her, and Torts is an easy class that takes minimal amount of time each week!

Professors Haugen and Heidenreich do give the same exams and even follow each the same syllabus. I would agree with everything ohnowtf said (same can be said about both Haugen and Heidenreich). Heidenreich expects a lot, but if you know the black-letter law definitions cold you will do fine (mainly the Restatements; case rules are also helpful on the exam, but only the important ones -- he makes it clear which cases "he likes.") Students who do poorly are those who do not define everything or are poor writers. It will be helpful on his timed 2hr in class exam to have everything memorized (since you do no get any cheat sheets or outlines) AND having the ability to type fast (typing speed is critical in all classes actually, so if you suck at typing you are screwed).

[lssweeney87]

I am in section 3 this fall and I am wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on these Professors:

Moy
Hogg
Routel
Steenson
Schmedemann

Any tips about these Professors would be great!

[dougroberts]

I am in section 3 this fall and I am wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on these Professors:

Moy
Hogg
Routel
Steenson
Schmedemann

Any tips about these Professors would be great!

Schmedemann won't be your Writing teacher, she just coordinates everything. You will have a different writing professor in your writing class of 10-12 students. I haven't had the other professors so I cannot help much.

[Lexnonbellum]

I am in section 3 this fall and I am wondering if anyone could give me some feedback on these Professors:

Moy
Hogg
Routel
Steenson
Schmedemann

Any tips about these Professors would be great!

I second this question - I'm also in section 3

[Gunz353]

Anyone have info on Section 1?

Edwards- Property
Prince- Torts
Kunz- Contracts
Tinkham- Civ Pro

[chrisbru]

tagged by potential WM Class of 2014er