Richard F. Mitchell graduated from Iowa State Law School in 1913 and practiced law in Fort Dodge for nearly two decades. He held significant roles within the Democratic Party, including membership in the State Central Committee and service as a National Committeeman. Mitchell was elected to the Iowa Supreme Court in 1932, where he served until 1942, including a term as Chief Justice from 1934. During World War Two, he mediated labor disputes for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. In 1946, President Truman appointed him to the Interstate Commerce Commission, where he served as chairman from 1954 to 1957.

Richard F. Mitchell's career reveals a unique blend of judicial rigor and political pragmatism, particularly in his labor mediation roles. His tenure on the Iowa Supreme Court and as Chief Justice indicates a deep commitment to judicial principles, yet his active involvement in labor mediation during pivotal wartime periods suggests an ideological flexibility. Mitchell's gubernatorial campaign loss in 1944, despite his robust Democratic credentials, hints at an ability to navigate complex political landscapes. His appointment to the Interstate Commerce Commission and subsequent chairmanship further underscores a penchant for roles that require balancing regulatory oversight with economic pragmatism.