Federal Appellate Practice Clinic

In the Federal Appellate Practice Clinic, students take the lead in briefing and arguing federal appellate court cases. Our cases will generally focus in the areas of civil rights, including police misconduct, prison conditions, employment and disability discrimination, immigration, and direct criminal appeals.

We litigate in courts across the country, assisting pro se and indigent clients in vulnerable situations by providing them with exceptional and dedicated legal service. Our overarching goal is to tell our client’s stories, be their voice in the legal system, and, when possible, assist them in securing pro bono counsel in the district court. Our representation rivals and exceeds the quality of the nation’s best appellate firms. 

We welcome inquiries from lawyers and parties looking for help in seeking appellate review or litigating in the federal courts of appeals. Because we have limited resources, we accept only cases that are plausible candidates for appellate review.

Our recent cases include:

  • Securing a reversal and remand in Arellano Martinez v. Blanche, No. 24-5069 (9th Circuit) (immigration)
  • Securing reversal and remand in Cicchiello v. FCI Danbury Warden, et al., No. 25-661 (2nd Circuit) (prison conditions)
  • Securing a dismissal for lack of jurisdiction in Megna v. Musial, et al., No. 25-2190 (7th Circuit) (4th Amendment)
  • Securing a reversal and remand with instructions to appoint trial counsel in Fahr v. Johnson, No. 23-15905 (9th Circuit) (prison conditions)
  • Securing a dismissal for lack of jurisdiction in Wallace v. Brown, No. 24-1632 (6th Circuit) (prison conditions)
  • Securing an affirmance of the denial of a motion to dismiss in Stevenson v. Tocé, No. 23-30486 (5th Circuit) (prison conditions)


The Student Experience

Through the year-long Clinic program, third-year law students gain unparalleled experience and insight into appellate practice. The Clinic has three main components:

Classroom Instruction
The Clinic's weekly classroom sessions offer in-depth instruction across every facet of appellate practice, covering the mechanics of appellate litigation, appellate strategy and advocacy, amicus briefs, oral argument, and black-letter doctrine. The Clinic also hosts guest speakers who discuss the varied pathways to becoming an appellate advocate, with particular emphasis on perspectives from appellate attorneys whose backgrounds have traditionally been underrepresented in the practice of law.

Federal Appellate Practice students at court with a clientCase Work and Oral Argument
Clinic students research and draft briefs, and present oral argument, in real federal appellate cases around the country. By the end of the year, students are equipped to confidently litigate an appeal as lead counsel. Former students consistently describe the experience as rewarding, noting that it equipped them with invaluable skills that have served them well across a range of legal careers.

Visiting Circuit Courts and Clients
The Clinic makes an annual in-person visit to the Seventh Circuit to observe oral argument and meet with judges and law clerks. Students also travel to other circuit courts where the Clinic has pending appeals and, whenever possible, meet with clients directly—whether in their hometowns or, for incarcerated clients, at their facilities.