Appellate Litigation Clinic

The Appellate Litigation Program has been one of the core clinical programs at the Law Center for over forty years. The program is directed by Professor Erica Hashimoto, an experienced appellate litigator and alumna of the clinic. This clinic provides intense training in the art of oral and written advocacy. We accept cases by court appointment in the D.C., Fourth, and Eleventh Circuits, and the subject matter ranges widely. In recent years we have had cases involving civil rights, the rights of incarcerated people, habeas, and immigration. Our students work in teams to draft and edit briefs, under close supervision by faculty and fellows, and in many cases students present oral arguments to the court. We strive to provide the highest quality appellate representation to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Our students apply their enthusiasm and build experience in research, writing, and preparation that would be impossible outside the clinic environment.