Law School to Offer Combined JD/MFA in Creative Writing
My grand plan of a weekly feature of a lawyer who writes commercially ended after just a couple of months because I ran out of lawyers to put in the spotlight. But perhaps there is hope for the future.
Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul., MN now offers a JD/MFA in Creative Writing joint-degree program. Hamline’s dean, Jon Garon explains the joint program’s goals: “To be successful, lawyers and other leaders must be able to think creatively and use disciplined imagination to solve problems. For students who can meet the rigorous admission requirements of both schools, the combined JD/MFA will encourage creativity and personal expression as part of the analytical rigor of law. Our graduates will be well positioned to serve as global leaders, thinkers, writers and, of course, members of the bench and bar.”
Frankly, I am envious. If I didn’t already have the JD half of that program, I’d be sending my application straight off. (Well, OK – the other reason is I have to pay the mortgage by staying in the job I have, which is why I haven’t run off to sign up for some other MFA program). But still, it is an idea whose time has come.
Meanwhile, as we wait for Hamline to graduate its lawyers who write, do please let me know if you are, or someone you know is, a practicing lawyer with a book published. Or short stories, poems, etc.
Hat tip to Legal Blog Watch, who tipped the hat to Set in Style .
