10th Circuit Visits Washburn Law
Washburn Law and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosted two panels from the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on October 6, 2004. The panels heard oral arguments from two dockets of Kansas appeals in the Robinson Courtroom and Bianchino Technology Center. This was the fourth time in the last thirty years that the Court travelled to Washburn from its seat in Denver, Colorado.
The morning panel of Judges Robert H. Henry, Paul J. Kelly, and Harris L. Hartz heard four cases, one each on
- bankruptcy,
- knock-and-announce,
- administrative due process, and
- first amendment rights of prisoners.
The afternoon panel, with Judges Mary Beck Briscoe, David M. Ebel and Timothy M. Tymkovich, heard three cases, one each on
- employment discrimination,
- contractual good faith, and
- criminal sentence enhancement.
Washburn Law students prepared pre-argument and oral argument summaries of each case.
Each first year law student was able to attend at least one argument in conjunction with their Legal Analysis, Research and Writing class. Many second and third year students attended cases related to their course of study. Security concerns and the limited capacity of the Courtroom presented some logistical challenges for the attorneys, parties, and spectators. But the professionalism of the U.S. Marshal's office, and the flexibility of the faculty and students made the whole operation run smoothly.
In addition to attending oral arguments, students and faculty had the opportunity to interact with the judges during informal question and answer sessions and small luncheon groups. Students were also able to visit with law clerks who accompanied the judges to Topeka.
Though security concerns and the fixed Courtroom capacity presented some logistical challenges for the attorneys, parties, and spectators the professionalism of the U.S. Marshal's office and understanding of students and faculty and students made the entire event a success.
Anthony Hunter contributed to this article.
