Mitchell Franklin was known as a well traveled lawyer, professor, legal advisor, and philosopher. He was one of the foremost scholars in Marxist legal theory and much of his work focused on, but was not limited to Hegel, Kantian and Marxist philosophies, Comparative, Roman, Civil and International laws. Franklin also took a particular interest in Louisiana law as it differed from the rest of the United States and became a focus of comparison for much of his work.

Franklin's extensive career spanned almost seven decades. Over the years his advice and council were sought by many including the United Nations, the United States Army, the National Lawyers Guild, and by students at two different universities.