This clinic has easily been the best experience of my entire time in school of any kind—law school or undergrad. I learned the ins and outs of the immigration system, legal strategy, and how we should conduct ourselves as attorneys.
Melissa Hurtado, J.D. 2022
Arguing a case before the Seventh Circuit was a capstone experience to my law school education. Some of my friends who are now practicing attorneys are floored that a student would have this kind of opportunity. That’s an experience lawyers may have to wait many years to do once they are out in practice, and the fact that I was able to do this as a student was very special.
Nicholas Gamse, J.D. 2011
The fact that we spent an entire class discussing the wellbeing and humanity of one of our clients was eye-opening and instructive about the multiple goals a client and a lawyer may have during representation, and so important in learning about the nuances of appellate representation on a holistic level.
Kara Kurland, J.D. 2022
In the Federal Appellate Clinic, students research, brief, and argue cases in federal appellate courts across the country. In certain instances, where a case involves significant federal issues or interests, students will also participate in state appellate court work. Our cases generally focus on immigration, criminal sentencing and post-conviction issues, and qualified immunity, although other topics and matters may be covered as well.
We litigate in courts across the country, assisting clients in vulnerable situations by providing them with exceptional and dedicated legal service. Our overarching goal is to tell our client’s stories and to be their voice in the legal system. Our representation rivals and exceeds the quality of the nation’s best appellate firms.
Commitment
Appellate advocacy is a rewarding but demanding endeavor. Our students engage in intensive and hands-on research, writing, and client-relationship training in the Clinic. Given the scheduling calendar for federal appellate courts, the Clinic is a year-long commitment, and students are expected to continue working on pending cases if needed during their winter and spring breaks.
There are no course prerequisites, although familiarity federal jurisdiction, civil procedure, and criminal procedure is strongly recommended. Many circuit courts only allow third year law students to enter appearances on briefs and at oral argument; as such, the Federal Appellate Clinic is limited to third year students. Students should have completed a minimum of 57 credit hours prior to the beginning of their fall semester in the Clinic.
Travel
Our practice is nationwide in scope, with cases in circuit courts around the country. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the rules and procedures of the courts in which they are practicing, and to prepare for in-person oral argument before those courts. If oral argument is granted, we will travel to the court, at no cost to the student, for argument.