Mitch
Director, EJI; Clinical Professor; Neighborhood Law Clinic Director
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
Biography
Mitch is a Clinical Law Professor and the Director of the Economic Justice Institute (EJI), home to the Law School's civil legal clinics: the Consumer Law Clinic, Family Court Clinic, Immigrant Justice Clinic, Neighborhood Law Clinic and VOCA Restraining Order Clinic. Professor Mitch teaches and supervises students in the Neighborhood Law Clinic (NLC). The Neighborhood Law Clinic has a twofold mission of education and service. The educational mission is to create a learning environment where, by taking responsibility for clients' cases, students develop lawyering skills and learn to think critically about both the role and limits of the law as a force for justice and social change. The service mission is to provide quality legal representation and advocacy services to people in the community.
Mitch has long been determined to increase access to justice. He co-founded Community Justice Inc., a nonprofit tax-exempt sliding-scale law firm that provides direct legal services to low-income individuals. His practice has focused primarily in the areas of housing law, employment law, government benefits, and Guardian ad litem work. As a clinical faculty member his pedagogical focus centers on creating a challenging experiential learning environment for students who represent clients in all phases of litigation, and researching improved methods to deliver legal services to those in need.
Mitch is the Law School's representative on the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission and former Chair of the Wisconsin State Bar's Public Interest Law Section.
Scholarship & Publications
SSRN
Law Repository
Activities
Mitch was elected to the State Bar of Wisconsin's policy-making body, the Board of Governors. He will represent District 9 for a two-year term.
Mitch has been reappointed for a three-year term as UW Law School's representative on the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission. The commission was created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the request of the State Bar of Wisconsin to aid the courts in improving the administration of justice.
Mitch's article, "Tipping the Scales of Justice: The Role of the Nonprofit Sliding Scale Law Firm in the Delivery of Legal Services," was published in the NYU Journal of Legislation & Public Policy in September.
Sarah Davis, Mitch and Tricia Bushnell (with Sean O'Brien, University of Missouri School of Law) co-presented "Teaching Legal Resilience: Perseverance in the Face of Loss" at the 2012 Midwest Clinical Conference in St. Louis.
News & Media
Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021UW Law School launching new Eviction Defense Clinic
Tuesday, Feb 2, 2021Mitch discusses federal eviction moratorium extension
WPRMonday, Nov 23, 2020Mitch: Owners should pay rent abatement application fees
Badger HeraldWednesday, Sep 9, 2020Mitch discusses the CDC's new eviction moratorium and what it means for Wisconsin renters
Wisconsin Public RadioThursday, Jun 4, 2020Mitch advises owners and tenants to work together, as statewide eviction ban ends
Green Bay Press GazetteWednesday, May 13, 2020Mitch: Hope for nonprofit law firm model remains despite closing of Open Legal Services
ABA JournalFriday, Apr 10, 2020Mitch: Safeguarding renters against eviction in a pandemic
Wisconsin Public RadioFriday, Jan 10, 2020UW Law's LIFT Dane project makes '20 Wisconsin startups to watch in 2020' list
Milwaukee Business JournalTuesday, Dec 10, 2019Mitch discusses UW South Madison Partnership's expansion
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019Neighborhood Law Clinic to participate in 2nd annual UW Madison South Partnership celebration
Friday, Jun 28, 2019UW Law School partnership takes first place in Alliance for the American Dream competition, earning $1.1 million toward project
Monday, Apr 1, 2019Turner, Mitch and Edwards named UW Law School Teachers of the Year
Thursday, Feb 7, 2019Law School team advances in multi-state competition aimed at boosting middle class
Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018UW Law faculty advance to DreamUp Wisconsin finals
Wednesday, Feb 7, 2018Mitch: Recent landlord-tenant laws harm Wisconsin renters
The Capital Times
Teaching Areas
- Client Interviewing & Counseling
- Community Lawyering
- Employment Law
- Housing & Urban Community Development Law
- Pre-Trial Advocacy
Recently Taught Courses
