Wes Barnum Receives
Irvine E. Ungerman Award
By John Francis
Wesley Barnum is the Summer/Fall 2004 recipient of the Irvine E. Ungerman Award. This award is received by the Clinic intern who has distinguished himself or herself by providing highly competent representation to clients in a manner exemplifying the ideals of our profession: "pursuit of the learned art in the spirit of a public service."
Wes is a former law enforcement officer from Missouri who distinguished himself through the superior work he conducted for clients on complex and unusual cases. During his time in the Clinic, Wes handled primarily criminal defense cases. His legal analytical skills were tested by some intricate 4th Amendment issues that arose in one case and by a rare claim of testimonial privilege by a witness in another case. Wes' motion practice was well-researched and written; his case strategies considered ethical issues and were drawn from legal standards, factual strengths and weaknesses and client objectives. One particular matter presented Mr. Barnum with the opportunity to expand his courtroom advocacy skills by conducting an impressive oral argument on a complex motion in Federal Court. Wes' compassion for his clients was demonstrated in the sound counseling he provided to them as well as by the professional manner in which he negotiated on their behalf.
Wes took the Missouri bar in February and plans to go into private practice in Joplin, Missouri.
