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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  2. Course Schedule

Clinic: Supreme Court - Skills

  • Semester: Spring 2009
  • Course ID: 397D
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Unique: 28635

Course Information

  • Course Type: Clinic
  • Grading Method: Pass/Fail Mandatory

Registration Information

Meeting Times

Meeting information not available

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
None

Description

This clinic gives students the opportunity to work on cases pending before the United States Supreme Court. Students will be assigned to represent actual clients that are before the Court as petitioners (those seeking review of adverse lower court decisions), respondents (those defending favorable lower court decisions), or amici curiae (those participating in other parties' cases because their interests could be affected by the Court's decision). Cases may be at either the certiorari or the merits stage and may be in any substantive area of law. Students will evaluate their clients' substantive positions, research the relevant issues, participate in strategic planning, and draft the briefs or other documents to be filed with the Court. Students will work under the supervision of experienced members of the Supreme Court bar (who will assume final responsibility for all documents filed with the Court). In view of the schedule, students are most likely to represent petitioners at the certiorari stage, but students will nevertheless devote substantial attention to the merits of their cases. As a practical matter, cases are most likely to involve federal statutory issues, but the final decision on case selection will depend on what issues are pending and what cases are most likely to have the greatest pedagogical value. As part of their work, students will participate in identifying potential cases for the clinic to handle. The clinic will include some traditional classroom sessions to introduce students to Supreme Court procedures and the strategic considerations relevant in Supreme Court practice. Enrollment is limited to upper division students. Admission is by application only. Applications are available from Becky Williams in the Student Affairs Office.

Instructors

Headshot of Sturley, Michael F. Sturley, Michael F.
Headshot of Frederick, David C. Frederick, David C.
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