The Opinion
The William Mitchell Opinion was William Mitchell College of Law's student newspaper from 1959-1979, when it was renamed simply The Opinion, after losing funding from the school administration. The Opinion continued publication under that name from 1979-1998. It was revived in 2000 as an online publication and ceased publication again in 2009.
The Opinion was published by the Student Bar Association of WMCL from 1959-1998, and a student organization from 2000-2009. Over the course of its publication, it won multiple national awards for legal writing. Regular features included school news, editorials, legal opinions, and even a sports section.
This digital collection is maintained by the staff of the Warren E. Burger Library of Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Disclaimer: These newspapers reflect the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times. Neither the library nor the school endorses the views expressed in these collections.
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 16, No. 4, February, 1974
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- From Wounded Knee Trial to 'Extra Hour': Kunstler: Law Used More Now to Control Politically / Stephen R. Bergerson
- Should Utility Companies be Held to Due Process Standards? / Bruce J. Douglas
- Women's Law Caucus Organizes at Mitchell
- The William Mitchell Sputnik, 1974: Students, Faculty Depart, Dean Traded, Buses Still Running Ah Hoc S.O.S. Committee
- New Search, Seizure Decision Reviewed / Paul C. Jones, Phyllis Gene Jones, Willard B. Morris
- Seeks to "Deprofessionalize the Law": Social Scientist Defends Jury Selection Role / Edward Lief
- Court: 'Inadmissible Evidence Now Admissible' / Jim Lundin
- Also May Cut Enrollment or Expand Facilities: Trustees Considering Merger With St. Thomas / Allan Shapiro
- 1919: The Demise of the Diploma Privilege / Duane Galles
- Mitchell Student Working With Wounded Knee Defense / Jeanne Schleh
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Jeanne Schleh, Greg Gaut, Edward Lief, Mindy Elledge, Roberta Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 16, No. 3, December 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Dean Sees Three Possibilities: SBA Inquires About School Expansion / Jim Lundin
- William Mitchell Hosts Roundtable: National Director Emphasizes Students' Role in Education
- SBA Demands Nixon Resign
- Clinical Program - Alive, Well & Growing: Amended Senior Practice Rule Would Increase Participation / Jeanne Schleh
- How Time Flies When You're Having Fun...' / Stephen Doyle
- Use of Stand-Ins Brings New LSAT Security
- MCLU's Weatherbee: "Presidential Powers - Real and Imagined" / Ed Lief
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Jeanne Schleh, Greg Gaut, Edward Lief, Mindy Elledge, Robera Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 16, No. 2, October 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- ABA's Fellers Visits Mitchell / Roberta Keller
- Mitchell Students Give Over $300 to March of Dimes
- Four One-Act Plays Remain Popular at School / Rick Glanz
- Moot Court Frenzy is Underway / Jeanne Schleh
- Request for Resignation of C. Paul Jones / Stephen Doyle
- No Exhilaration After Bar Exam: An Examinee's Account / Fred Finch
- Hypnosis - A Defense? / Ann B. Hooten
- The Road Ahead / Mike Fahey
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Jeanne Schleh, Greg Gaut, Mindy Elledge, Roberta Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 16, No. 1, September 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- First Edition of Law Review to be Published in Early 1974
- Legal Education: How it Determines Legal Ethics / Ed Lief
- Frosh Set Undergrad Scholastic Records / Jeanne Schleh
- Last 'Family Man' Class Graduated From Mitchell / Roberta Keller
- Law Student Division has National Convention in D.C.
- Student Loan Situation is Tightening Up / Ed Lief
- The Diploma Privilege: A Status Report / Don Horton
- Clinical Program Expanded / Jeanne Schleh
- Dean Heidenreich Announces Faculty Changes / Marilyn Neuschwander
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Jeanne Schleh, Greg Gaut, Mindy Elledge, Roberta Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 15, No. 5, April 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- SBA Board Elects New Officers
- Dean Says 12% Tuition Hike is 'Reasonable, Justified'
- Mitchell to Offer First Summer Session For This Summer
- How Time Flies When You're Having Fun / Stephen Doyle
- MPIRG Tackles Health Care Field / Brian Peterson
- Press Power Prevails / Steve Mihalchick
- ABA President Elect: 'Coordination Need to Stop Breakdown'
- At Kansas City: Mitchell Students Attend Eight Circuit Convention
- Proposed 'Mini Supreme Court' Attacked and Defended
- It Pays to Advertise / Wayne Swanson
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Mindy Elledge, Roberta Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 15, No. 4, February 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Clinical Legal Program off to 'Tumultuous' Start / Gretchen Quattlebaum
- Four More Years: The Nixon Court / Stephen R. Bergerson
- The Extra Hour: Supreme Court Officials Talk / John Gries
- Prior Restraint of Property and Due Process of Law Revisited / Alan Harris
- The Diploma Privilege Special Supplement
- Fair Trial v Free Press / Randy G. Millard
- Scientists Call for More Investigation of 'Voiceprint' Identification Process / Stephen Doyle
- New Law School Project Trust Battles for Status / Jeanne Schleh
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Mindy Elledge, Roberta Keller
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 15, No. 3, January 1973
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- The Prosecution Goes Forward, but: The Defense Never Rests / Stephen R. Bergerson
- Students Sorriest Sayings or What not to Write in a Law Exam / Roger S. Haydock
- Nationwide: Freshman Enrollment Drops
- What Rights do Prisoners' Have? Stephen R. Bergerson
- John Doe's Thoughts on the Justice System / Jean Schleh
- The Wentangone Papers / Larry Meuwissen
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 15, No. 2, November 1972
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Who Rules the Law School? / Greg Gaut
- Shop Early' Attorney Tells of Real World
- Students Pursue Interest in CLE / Gretchen Quattlebaum
- Four Fascinating Women / Jean Schleeh
- The Not so Free Press / Stephen S. Bergerson
- Minnesota's Environmental Rights Act - What is it? / Rick Glanz
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman, Mindy Elledge
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 15, No. 1, September 1972
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Sears Challenges 1972 Graduates / Bobby Keller
- First Survey Results: Part-Time Workers get Better Grades / Jean Schleh
- Leech Lake Settlement Reached / Barb Bleifus
- Young Lawyers Join Staff: Mitchell Welcomes New Faculty / Davideen Manosky
- Lawyer's Guild Rejuvenates / Greg Gaut
Editorial Board
Stephen R. Bergerson, Kay Silverman
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 14, No. 3, May 1972
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- The Changing Face of William Mitchell
- Stillwater Warden: Prison Reform- No Easy Solutions / Stephen Bergerson
- Richard H. Rowan: St. Paul Police Chief Interviewed / Norman M. Brody
- Judge Sedgwick Enjoys Her New Vocation / Cheri Brix
- Female Civil Right Lawyer Speaks at St. Catherines / Margaret Leary
Editorial Board
John Decker, Stephen Bergerson, Kay Silverman
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 14, No. 2, November 1971
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Is it worthwhile?: Controversy Still Rages Over Bar Examinations / Kay Silverman
- Mitchell Seniors Gain Legal Aid Experience / Cheri Brix
- New and Used Bookstores Show Disparity in Profits
- S.D. Indian Victim of Frontier Justice / Stephen Bergerson
- Commisioner of Corrections: "Attica Will Have Little Effect on Prison Reform" / Stephen Bergerson
- Rights and Remedies of Prison Inmates / Margaret A. Leary
Editorial Board
John Decker, Joel Watne
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 14, No. 1, September 1971
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Professor Van der Borght Dies of Heart Attack
- Bad Trip: Student Reps Disillusioned With LSD Experience
- Bruce Armstrong... From the Student Bar Association President's Chair / Bruce Armstrong
- Where oh Where Did Our Money Go? Or The...
- Welcome to the Practice of Law / Edward J. Devitt
- Andrew Johnson Retires / James Taurinksas
- The Law Schools' Failure / Larry Schmidt
Editorial Board
John Decker, James Lawton, Joel Watne
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 13, No. 1, September 1970
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Largest Class in History: 'Baby Boom' Bursts Mitchell Frosh Class / Mary Ann Brokaw
- History Highlighted (1900-1970): Wm. Mitchell Survives Tough Times / Jim Taurinskas
- Equal Access to the Legal System': Funding Frustrates Legal Aid / Stephen Van Drake
- Reforms Sought for Moot Court Program / Jim Taurinskas
- Unisex and the Fourteenth Amendment: Women's Lib at Mitchell? / Cheri Brix
- Students Observe Policemen at Work / John Decker
Editorial Board
Dan Dahlin, John Decker, Steve Van Drake
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 12, No. 2, March 1970
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- A Progress Report on the Poverty Law Program / Bill Wielinski
- Senior Practice Rule is Rewarding / Byron L. Zotaley
- Alumni Ass'n is Revitalized; Samuel L. Hanson is President / Dan Dahlin
- Minnesota Adopts Comparative Negligence / Roger Christianson
- Chief Justice Oscar R. Knutson, C. Paul Jones Receive Awards at Nat'l. Legal Aid Defender Conf.
- The Need for More Law Professors Who have Practiced Law / James M. Dente
Editorial Board
Roger Christianson, Steven Wheeler, Dan Dahlin
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 12, No. 1, October 1969
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Burger Era Begins / Roger A. Christianson
- SBA Election Results / Steve Wheeler
- William Mitchell to Enter National Moot Court Competition
- Law Review Contemplated
- Recent Legislation / George Frisch
- Curriculum and Schedule has "New Look" at William Mitchell
Editorial Board
Roger Christianson, Steven Wheeler, George Frisch
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 11, No. 2, May 1968
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Dean, SBA Hold School Policy Meet
- 65 to Graduate June 10: Judge Luther Youngdahl to Speak at Commencement
- Role of Non-Obviousness in Patent Law / Bruce A. Nemer
- Evidence of Other Crimes In Criminal Trials / William J. Hay
Editorial Board
Dan Byrne
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 11, No. 1, January 1968
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Students Briefed on Future: SBA-PAD Sponsor Mitchell's First Career Forum / Tom O'Meara
- City Attorney's Widow Leaves Mitchell $170,000
- Students Authorized to Aid Indigents at Trial / Hugh V. Plunkett
- Governor's Tackle Heavy Agenda: Sommerness Heads Mitchell Student Ban[sic] Group / James Prochnow
- Conscience or Contempt? Clergyman's Dilemma / Gerald A Regnier
- 96-Page Study: Survey Urges Changes in Ramsey Bail Practices / William S. Glew
- Style Show Next Event For Wives: Club Works on Variety of Activities / Jo-Anne Byrne
- Separate Injuries, But Consolidation Allowed / Jerry Ingber
Editorial Board
Dan Byrne, Robert Ahl
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 10, No. 2, May 1967
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Bruised, Battered, Satchel Lives On / Paul Buegler
- June 12 at St. Thomas: 50 Seniors to Hear Noted Court Justice / Gerald Randall
- Wm. Mitchell Students 'Lobby', Draft Bills to Revise Erroneous Minnesota Statutes / James Ullyot
- Law in Flux: Recovery for Fright / John Hirte
- Unmasking of Informer Fails Constitutionally / Robert Ahl
- Mitchell No Longer 'Visitor' to ALSA Circuit Conference / Craig W. Gagnon
- Work Comp Quandary Resolved by Court
- Advice Clinics Aid Poor, Led by 35 Attorneys / Lee LaBore
Editorial Board
James Prochnow, James Ullyot, Steve Van Drake
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 10, No. 1, December 1966
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Dean Predicts No Hike in Tuition in '67, But Boost Probably by '69 / Robert Hentges
- Mitchell Freshmen Defy Statistics; Backgrounds Vary / Robin Jacob
- In Hennepin County: Students, Judges Pioneer Intern Program / Lee LaBore
- Law Wives Sell 'Slurps' to Raise Funds / Mrs. Craig Gagnon
- The Presumption in Actions for Wrongful Death / James Conway
- Anastas Enrolls For Studies in New York / Paul Buegler
Editorial Board
David Planting, Dan Byrne, Robert Hentges
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 9, No. 1, May 1966
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Professor Dulebohn to Retire from College Faculty
- Chief Justice Knutson to Address 64 Grads; Will Receive Honorary Degree / James S. Lane III
- U.S. v. Trott: Disturbing Thoughts on the "Evil Mind" / James R. Sinclair
- No 6 P.M., Saturday Classes, Please - Students Favor 3-night Schedule
Editorial Board
David L. Planting, James E. Conway, Joe Daly
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 8, No. 1, December 1965
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- A Wild Silhouette- First Year Profile: Frosh A Go-Go / Michael Murphy
- Mitchell to Award J. D. Degree Beginning This Spring / Jame S. Lane III
- Police Procedures Scrutinized / Stanley C. Townswick
- The NLRB, 301 Suits and Arbitration / Jack Frost
- Jurisdiction of Child Custody -- A Gordian Knot / Rosalie Wahl
- Rhubarb Cobbler, Seven-Ten Splits: Law Wives' Activity Profits Students / Jane Casey
Editorial Board
James E. Conway, David Planting, John E. Brandt, Joe Daly
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William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 7, No. 2, May 1965
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Circuit Judge Murrah Will Address Graduates / R.W. Rahn
- Debt on Building Nearly Paid Off / Dave Planting
- Professional Atmosphere... Moot Court Prospers / John E. McKendrick
- Religion and Government / Ronald F. Johnson
- The Greatest Outlaw the West has Ever Known / Alvin J. Remmenga
Editorial Board
James E. Conway, David Planting, Jerry Regnier, John McKendrick, R.W. Rahn, John Brandt
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 7, No. 1, Dec. 1964
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Hill Foundation Grants $119,000 for Professorship / Lee L. Fossum
- Continuing Definition of the Scope of FELA / Sam Hanson
- Minnesota Bar Appoints New Education Director / David Simecek
Editorial Board
Robert W. Rahn, John E. McKendrick, Alvin J. Remmenga
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William Mitchell Opinion – Volume 6, No. 2, May 1964
William Mitchell College of Law
Selected Table of Contents
- Dean Curtis Resigns; Joins Hastings Law Faculty / Tom Foley
- Judge Burger to Address Grads; Mitchell Portrait to be Dedicated / Carolyn Meyer
- Better Public Image of Night Law Schools Sought by SBA President / Dick Langlais
- The Uncertain Status of Apportionment: Baker v. Carr / Robert F. Collins
- Judicial Dilemma: Primary vs. Secondary Picketing / Thomas J. McLeod
- Defender System Studied / John E. McKendrick
- Carlin Presents Problems of Individual Practitioners / John E. McKendrick
Editorial Board
Allan E. Mulligan, Al Remmenga, John McKendrick, Carolyn Meyer, R.W. Rahn