The Student Experience
"In CWAC, we were asked to look at complex, extensive records and compile appellate briefs on behalf of our clients—all of whom were parents whose rights had been terminated. We were asked to engage in regular client contact, to identify the legal arguments most advantageous to our clients, and then to present those arguments in written briefs and appellate oral arguments to Michigan's Court of Appeals. We engaged our skills as advocates to try to keep Michigan families together."
-Betsy Fisher, '14
The experience of handling an appeal as part of the Child Welfare Appellate Clinic improved my legal writing skills immeasurably and greatly increased my confidence in the interpersonal side of lawyering. Through a hands-on environment that facilitated close collaboration with engaged, passionate faculty and students, CWAC taught me, more than any doctrinal class, what it means to be a lawyer. The experience of handling an appeal as part of the Child Welfare Appellate Clinic improved my legal writing skills immeasurably and greatly increased my confidence in the interpersonal side of lawyering. Through a hands-on environment that facilitated close collaboration with engaged, passionate faculty and students, CWAC taught me, more than any doctrinal class, what it means to be a lawyer."
-Molly Dobberke, '15
"CWAC is an in-depth introduction to the choices that legal writers make at every level of granularity: from word choice and sentence structure to the effective use of precedent. You will learn how to craft each element of a quality appellate brief and identify concrete ways to improve your writing. Guided by seasoned—and successful—practitioners, you will transform a jumbled case file into a persuasive and technically flawless product. Finally, you will learn to adapt your written work into a compelling oral argument. This clinic will give you the skills and confidence to tackle your next step after law school, whatever that may be."
-Tim Shoffner, '14