Beginning next fall, a new clinical offering at the University of Wisconsin Law School will provide six law students with in-depth experience in appellate advocacy.

The Federal Appeals Project, an expansion of UW Law School’s existing Oxford Federal Project, combines coursework on federal appellate procedure with work on a criminal case before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

According to Adam Stevenson, assistant clinical professor at the Law School, “Through classroom instruction and hands-on experience, the Federal Appeals Project will address a full spectrum of federal criminal law and legal issues, so that students get a broad, yet deep view of the issues defendants face.”

Working in pairs, clinic students manage all aspects of a criminal appeal assigned by the 7th Circuit—including investigation, briefing, and possibly even arguing before the court. Besides interaction with real clients, students may also meet with other attorneys, government counsel, and members of the district courts and 7th Circuit.  

The project not only enriches students’ legal education through professional training, but it also meets a public need by serving defendants from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana who cannot afford an attorney.  

“Our goal is to instill in our students an ethic of high-quality, client-centered representation at a critical stage in a defendant’s case,” says Stevenson.

The Federal Appeals Project will accept six students for the upcoming fall semester and requires a two-semester commitment. Second- and third-year law students who wish to be considered should apply by April 2, 2013.

To learn more about the Federal Appeals Project, contact Adam Stevenson at 608-262-9233.

Submitted by Law School News on March 13, 2013

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