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Litigation

When the Constitution and National Security Interests Collide: Investigations and Trials in a Post-9/11 World

Dean's Message: The Continuing Centrality of Litigation

Katrina

Rachel Harmon

From the Courtroom to the Classroom: Past and Present Litigators Inspire Next Generation

Never before has the Law School provided so many — and such varied — ways for students to prepare for careers in litigation. The advocacy courses and clinics offered represent the expansive offerings taught by a host of faculty and practitioners rich in litigation experience. The Law School continues to enlist distinguished practitioners to supplement its faculty — enabling more expansive clinics and advocacy courses.

Through clinic work, second- and third-year Law students are able to perform like lawyers in actual appellate, criminal prosecution and defense, and even U.S. Supreme Court cases. These practical experiences dovetail with the substantive curricular courses to produce tomorrow’s top litigators. More

Katrina Olecki

Life-Altering Litigation While Practicing Outside Your Field

A phone call on January 12, 2003 changed a lot of lives, including mine. A neighbor requested a referral to a criminal attorney for the brother of a friend of a friend — a 23-year old Latino schoolteacher, Raul Ramirez — who had been arrested by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for a violent sex crime. Raul had been “identified” by the victim eight months after the crime took place. He denied any involvement and claimed mistaken identity. Unable to post bail, Raul spent ten months and ten days in Los Angeles County Jail — a brutal, gang-infested, dangerous place on the best of days where he routinely faced severe physical harm, if not death. He lost his job, his car, and all his savings. He almost lost his 10-day-old marriage, and practically lost his mind. His life lay in ruins. More

Katrina
John Warner '53
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