Marquette Moot Court Team Success at the Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition

Please congratulate third-year law students Brittany Kachingwe and Kerri Puig, whose brief took second place at the Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in Virginia. The team was advised by Professor Jacob Carpenter and coached by Attorneys Jennifer Severino and Joel Urmanski. Please also congratulate third-year students David Herring and Jessica Shank for their performance in the competition.  They were advised by Professor Susan Bay and coached by Attorneys Nick Cerwin and Chad Wozniak.  Both teams were also coached by third-year student Patrick Leigl. The competition this year included 19 teams.

The issues were 1) whether the President has the authority under the Recess Appointments Clause to make both intra- and inter-recess session appointments, and 2) whether a state action exists where a compulsory fee agreement arises under the National Labor Relations Act.  The United States Supreme Court is deciding the first issue this term.

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New “Marquette Lawyer” Magazine Offers Insights from Paul Clement

Paul Clement has argued some 70 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was solicitor general of the United States and now, in private practice, continues to present arguments in some of the most important cases of our time.

In the cover story in the new “Marquette Lawyer” magazine, Clement discusses some of the cases he’s been involved in, particularly the momentous Affordable Care Act decision of 2012 and several national security cases. He talks about what it is like to make an argument before the Court and especially what’s needed to prepare for an argument.

Clement’s thoughts were offered during his visit to Marquette Law School on March 4, 2013, when he delivered the annual E. Harold Hallows Lecture and held a special “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” event for law students. (Video of the lecture is available here and of the “On the Issues” here.)

Also in the new issue, an article describes the complex legacy of a class action lawsuit challenging how Milwaukee Public Schools deals with students with special education needs. Even as plaintiffs lost the case in court, they succeeded in influencing changes that they favored.

Professor Phoebe Williams is featured in a profile story in the magazine, and the success of the Law School’s faculty blog is marked with a compilation of pieces written by Professor Daniel D. Blinka; Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy; and State Public Defender Kelli S. Thompson, L’96 .

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Congratulations to AWL Scholarship Winners Nimmer and Mills

nimmermillsOn Tuesday, September 10, 2013, the Milwaukee Association for Women Lawyers (AWL) Foundation honored two Marquette University Law School students with scholarships.

Amanda M. Nimmer, 2L (pictured above left), received the AWL Foundation scholarship.  The AWL Foundation Scholarship is awarded to a woman who has exhibited service to others, diversity, compelling financial need, academic achievement, unique life experiences (such as overcoming obstacles to attend or continue law school), and advancement of women in the profession. Nimmer said when she was 13 years old, she decided to become a lawyer. While she was growing up, she and her mother ran a school supplies drive every year at their church to benefit children in need in the greater Milwaukee area. She also volunteered at homeless shelters. She remains passionate about helping others, and this passion for public services shows. During the last presidential election, she volunteered as a legal observer. As an undergraduate at UW Madison, Nimmer worked for the state public defender’s office. She has also worked for the American Civil Liberties Union. She volunteers with the Milwaukee Volunteer Legal Clinic at Hillview and at the Milwaukee Justice Center. Although she’s yet to be inducted into the Pro Bono Society, she has already accumulated more than 120 volunteer hours. Nimmer was a PILS fellow last summer and is also the secretary of the student chapter of AWL.

Katheryn Mills, 2L (pictured above right), received the AWL Foundation’s Virginia A. Pomeroy scholarship.  This scholarship honors the late Virginia A. Pomeroy, a former deputy state public defender and a past president of AWL.  In addition to meeting the same criteria as for the AWL Foundation scholarship, the winner of this scholarship must also exhibit what the AWL Foundation calls “a special emphasis, through experience, employment, class work or clinical programs” in one of several particular areas:  appellate practice, civil rights law, public interest law, public policy, public service, or service to the vulnerable or disadvantaged. Mills’ interest in the law, particularly in public policy, sparked from her parents’ service as law enforcement officials in Wisconsin. Seeing her parents’ satisfaction in their public service jobs sparked her interest to follow a similar career path. This past summer, Mills worked at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Currently, she is the secretary of the Student Bar Association, chair of the Student Issues Committee, and a member of the student chapter of AWL. Additionally, as a volunteer student ambassador for the Admission’s Office at Marquette University Law School, Mills regularly conducts law school tours and is a panelist at admission information sessions. Mills hopes to practice law in the Milwaukee area after graduation.

Congratulations to both women for outstanding service and for their representation of Marquette University Law School.

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