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2018 Year in Review: Penn Law Student Life

December 17, 2018

During this busy and successful year, they took on important public interest projects, made their voices heard on major issues in local and national government, gained hands-on practice experience through a variety of experiential learning programs, won cases, competitions, fellowships, and more.

In 2018, Penn Law students made the most of their law school experience. During this busy and successful year, they took on important public interest projects, made their voices heard on major issues in local and national government, gained hands-on practice experience through a variety of experiential learning programs, won cases, competitions, fellowships, and more. In the midst of it all, students also made time for fun and the arts. Here’s a look back at 10 of this year’s top stories on Penn Law students:

Penn Law students argue in front of Third Circuit in externship

As part of the Federal Appellate Externship, four third-year Law School students had the opportunity to write an appellate brief in conjunction with supervising lawyers from Dechert LLP and make an argument in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This fall, one of those students found out that he had won the appeal for his client.

Penn Law team wins Williams Institute Moot Court Competition

On April 13, Penn Law students Jesse McGleughlin L’20, Ian Wahrenbrock L’19, and Andrew Wilson L’19 won the Williams Institute Moot Court Competition at UCLA School of Law, the only moot court in the country focusing on legal issues facing the LGBT community.

Penn Law students draft open letter to Philadelphia City Council in support of “Good Cause Eviction” legislation

Penn Law students are mobilizing in a local fight for tenants’ rights, and spent a week in the fall semester collecting signatures for an open letter to the Philadelphia City Council in support of a bill aimed at protecting renters from unjust eviction and displacement.

Penn Law students receive Skadden Fellowships

Albert Pak L’18 and Jayme Wiebold L’18 were awarded Skadden Fellowships to pursue work in the public interest. These highly competitive postgraduate fellowships fund two years of work providing legal services to the poor, the elderly, the homeless, the disabled, and those deprived of their civil or human rights.

Student group supports veterans and breaks down civilian-military divide

The Penn Law Veterans Club promotes the unique perspective of law students who have served in the military, along with providing support to students making the transition from military to civilian life and outreach to veterans applying for law school.

Student pro bono group files comment on EPA’s proposed repeal of Clean Power Plan

Penn Law students from the Environmental Law Project (ELP) submitted a filing with the Environmental Protection Agency in response to its proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. In the filing, the students argued that the proposed repeal is not supported by scientific evidence, and that the agency’s change in course is not supported by a valid justification.

Supreme Court Clinic students advocate for auto service employees who claim they were denied overtime

The service advisors were represented by Penn Law’s Supreme Court Clinic. Founded in 2009, the clinic allows students to assist on real Supreme Court cases, including recruiting, strategizing, researching, writing briefs, participating in moot court rehearsals, and attending oral arguments at the Court itself.

Penn Law’s Youth Advocacy Project supports minors involved in the criminal justice system

Students from Penn Law and the School of Social Policy & Practice work together to support youths who are prosecuted as adults. Working with the Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project, students help get cases transferred to the juvenile system, and continue to support the young person once they return to the community.

Penn Law & the Arts excursion to the Barnes Foundation exposes students to artwork and art law

The Barnes is a Philadelphia institution that houses a collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern art. PLATA hosted the event with the support of a discretionary grant from Penn Law’s Student Affairs Office and Dean of Students Monica Monroe, which permitted 25 students to attend.

Penn Law students travel to Washington to explore how they can apply legal training to public service on a global stage

Students from Penn Law were selected to join their peers from 10 other leading US law schools in Washington, DC last weekend to explore the future of public and private international law at the sixth annual Salzburg Cutler Fellows Program.