Circuit judges visit law school

Judges hear pending cases, answer student questions

 by Andre Radzichewski
 published on Friday, March 7, 2008

Law students had a chance to listen to and quiz three of the nation's top judges Thursday morning when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit visited ASU's College of Law.

A panel of three appellate judges heard oral arguments for six pending cases ranging from a bank robber challenging a conspiracy conviction to a Vietnam-era refugee who wants to avoid deportation to Laos.

"Every case has a human story behind it," said U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Daly Hawkins. "[I have] the greatest job in the world."

Lawyers for the petitioners and the government faced tough questions from Hawkins and the two other judges on the panel, who will decide their cases on the basis of both the briefs the parties submitted and Thursday's oral arguments.

Following the formal proceedings, the court returned to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law's Great Hall to hold a question-and-answer session with students.

"The students were very attentive," Hawkins said. "They asked terrific questions."

Hawkins, a 1970 graduate of ASU's law school, said he has fond childhood memories of visiting the area surrounding today's school.

His grandmother, herself a 1908 graduate of Tempe Normal School — ASU's name at the time — lived on the corner of McAllister Avenue and Orange Street, a plot today occupied by ASU's Biodesign Institute, Hawkins added.

Milton Schroeder, a commercial law professor, said watching the real-life practice of an appellate court is a great educational opportunity for students — especially for first-year students involved in the school's Moot Court Program, in which students role-play to simulate trials.

"[The court has] a practice of visiting law schools in the circuit," Schroeder said. "It's especially nice that they come here."

The 9th Circuit is headquartered in San Francisco but holds sessions throughout the circuit, which, in addition to Arizona, includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

First-year law student Armando Nava said he learned a lot about what "is basically going to be [his] life."

"I think all the judges gave great pointers," Nava said.

U.S. Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas said he understood why students had many questions about the court's day-to-day business.

"[Students] want to know how to approach the court," Thomas said. "They want some practical suggestions."

Thomas, too, has a personal connection to the University. His sister received a music doctorate from ASU in 1996.

"ASU has always had a long tradition of close association with the 9th Circuit," Thomas said. "[It's] a wonderful institution."

Reach the reporter at: andre.f.radzischewski@asu.edu.