Student Spotlight: Nina Mitchell ’28

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Scholar in Law & Business
Student Fellow, NYU Law Program on Corporate Compliance and Enforcement (PCCE)
Co-President, Law & Business Association
Co-President, JD/MBA Association

Nina Mitchell ’28 talks about her interest in the intersection of business and law, her favorite classes, and her quest to find the best burger in New York City.

You’re pursuing a JD and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. How did you come to pursue not one, but two degrees?

I majored in finance on the investment banking track in college, but I was always fascinated by the intersection of law and business and how legal frameworks shape financial institutions and business decisions. My dad, who served in law enforcement for over 25 years, always reminded my brothers and me that the law is woven into the fabric of every community. Growing up with that perspective helped me appreciate the power of a legal education and shaped my belief that a law degree can be a powerful tool for improving people’s lives and advancing economic and social justice.

During my 1L year, I began seriously considering NYU’s JD/MBA program after meeting students who spoke so highly of their experiences. Traveling to Bangkok, Thailand, with the JD/MBA Association over spring break gave me a firsthand look at the incredible community surrounding the program. During 2L, I had the opportunity to take a course cross-listed between NYU Law and NYU Stern with Professor Karen Brenner, who directs the dual-degree program, and her enthusiasm and encouragement further strengthened my interest. Beyond NYU, my older brother, who’s now a second-year MBA student at Wharton, was another source of inspiration. Seeing how much he loved and grew from his first year of business school made me even more excited about pursuing an MBA myself. When I shared the idea with my parents, they were incredibly supportive. My family has always been my biggest support system, and having their encouragement gave me the confidence to apply.

I was thrilled to be accepted into the JD/MBA program as a Kia Motors Scholar in Law & Business. Now, as a 3L and first-year MBA student, I’m enjoying the opportunity to continue exploring new areas of law while deepening my understanding of business. At Stern, I’m pursuing specializations in Law and Business, Corporate Finance, and Entertainment, Media, and Technology, which have already allowed me to connect my interests in new ways and discover exciting possibilities for where my career might take me. Above all, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue two degrees at NYU. I recognize that access to higher education, let alone two graduate degrees at such an incredible institution where I get to learn from some of the most accomplished lawyers, scholars, and practitioners, is a privilege that many people never have. It’s an opportunity I will never take for granted, and I hope to use both degrees to make a meaningful impact throughout my career and in the communities I serve.

You’re involved in a lot of student groups outside the classroom, ranging from the Law and Business Association to the Sports Law and Fashion Law societies. How do you manage your academic responsibilities with your extracurricular activities?

My parents have always instilled in me the belief that the more people who care about the success of a community, the more successful that community will be. When I arrived at NYU Law, I immediately noticed how much students invested in supporting one another and contributing to the community, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I started immediately getting involved as a 1L representative for several student organizations, which became one of the most meaningful parts of my first year. I met students I may not otherwise have crossed paths with and learned how much thought and effort go into creating events and opportunities that benefit the Law School community.

So far, I’ve had the privilege of serving on 10 different student organization boards, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to balance my commitments. Over time, I’ve developed a routine that works for me, even if it involves plenty of late nights studying in the library and too many emails sent to the student body! I’ve been fortunate to serve alongside some of my closest friends on these boards, and we've learned how to divide responsibilities and support one another. What I learn in one organization usually makes me better in another, so the experiences build on themselves.

I’m often running from a meeting to class, then straight to another meeting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been incredibly rewarding to explore different areas of law, become better at managing my time, build friendships that will last well beyond graduation, and give back to a community that has given me so much.

Which Law School class or experience has had the biggest impact on you?

I’ve been able to take so many great classes with incredible professors during my time at NYU Law, but my favorite has been Corporate Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Management with Professor Timothy Lindon ’80. Professor Lindon genuinely cares about both the subject matter and his students, and his passion for corporate compliance is infectious. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed learning about corporate compliance and how closely it connects to my interests in corporate law. While compliance plays a key role in identifying risks in mergers and acquisitions transactions, I find it fascinating how it touches nearly every area of law and helps businesses operate within legal and ethical boundaries.

That class became the starting point for my growing interest in compliance. It inspired me to take Governance and Compliance in Latin America with Professor Guillermo Jorge while studying abroad at NYU Law in Buenos Aires this past spring and to apply to NYU Law’s Program on Corporate Compliance & Enforcement (PCCE).

Being a PCCE Student Fellow has been one of the highlights of my law school experience. The program's directors have been wonderful mentors, and several of the other student fellows have become some of my closest friends in law school. Through PCCE's conferences, receptions, and lunches, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from accomplished professionals working in corporate compliance and enforcement. As someone who plans to begin my career in mergers and acquisitions, I’ve come to appreciate how important an understanding of corporate compliance is to navigating complex business transactions, and I’m especially grateful that one class opened the door to so many meaningful experiences and relationships.

What do you most like to do outside of class? What’s your favorite way to spend a day in New York City?

My perfect day would start with a five-mile run or walk along the West Side Highway or up to the Upper East Side, followed by a movie with my fellow AMC A-List friends. I would head to Central Park to read a book and play some pickleball or volleyball with friends, and hopefully stumble upon someone playing live music so I could stop and listen for a while, After that, I’d try a new restaurant with friends to add to my Beli rankings before ending the night with a Broadway show. And since my family doesn’t live in New York City, the perfect way to wrap up the day would be a FaceTime call with my parents to fill them in on all my adventures.

You included in your résumé that you’re currently ranking New York City’s top burgers. How is that going, and what have you learned so far?

What started as a random side quest has turned into a dedicated passion project. In law school, we learn to use the IRAC method—Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion—to analyze cases, and I’ve developed my own Burger IRAC method to document and review my burger outings. My friends all know about my love for burgers, and I appreciate how they’re always willing to try a new spot with me. I’ve even had fellow law students reach out specifically to grab a burger together, which has made it such a fun way to connect with people in the NYU Law community.

After more than three years of exploring and ranking over 100 burgers across the city, I’ve learned not only what makes a great burger but also discovered so many unique restaurants and the stories behind them. I’ve found extravagant burgers (Au Cheval), timeless classics (J.G. Melon), smash burgers with fascinating stories behind them (Hamburger America), underrated neighborhood favorites (Virginia’s), great happy-hour deals (Casa 13), late-night staples (7th Street Burger), and incredible Korean American fusion (Nowon). I’ve developed a much deeper appreciation for the restaurant industry and the people behind these establishments. It’s even made me interested in potentially using my law degree to work with restaurants or in the hospitality industry someday. And because I’m frequently asked for my favorites, my current top five, in no particular order, are Sip & Guzzle, Lion’s Bar, 4 Charles Prime Rib, Raoul’s, and Gotham Burger Social Club.