Moscow, ID — March 23, 2023 — Two University of Idaho students, representing an Immigration Litigation and Appellate Clinic client, will argue in front of federal judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which is hearing oral arguments next week in the U of I College of Law building in Moscow.
A three-judge panel — Richard Tallman, of Coeur d’Alene; Ryan Nelson, of Idaho Falls; and two-time Vandal alumnae Danielle Forrest, of Portland, Oregon — will hear oral arguments for three cases starting at 10 a.m. next Wednesday, March 29, in the Menard Law Building.
People may view oral arguments in person or online through new expanded streaming options at U of I. Photo ID is required to attend in person. Livestream options will be available on the court’s website. Recordings of oral arguments will be made available one day after arguments. Photography is not allowed.
The Idaho Law students presenting arguments, Alejandra Cabrales and Rebecca Jensen, are both in their final year of studies.
“Students in the Immigration Clinic represent clients who have survived persecution, abuse and other traumas. We are honored to represent an asylum seeker who tried his best to represent himself in an extraordinarily difficult process before the immigration agency,” said Geoffrey Heeren, associate professor of law at U of I and director of the Immigration Clinic. “Since we have been appointed to represent him on appeal, Alejandra Cabrales and Rebecca Jensen have worked tremendously hard on his case and are looking forward to bringing his claims before the Ninth Circuit.”
The Idaho Law courtroom was upgraded last month with new technology that makes it one of the largest video conference-capable spaces on U of I’s Moscow campus, with several displays, microphones and cameras installed in the room.
After arguments, law students can join the federal judges for an exclusive question-and-answer session.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a federal court headquartered in San Francisco, California, that hears cases being appealed from any decision by U.S. District Courts from nine states and two territories, including Idaho. The court has the largest geographical jurisdiction of any federal court of appeals. It last visited U of I’s Moscow campus in 2018.
“Panels of certain judges from the Court typically travel to hear cases throughout its circuit in western states but a visit to Moscow is not typical and truly a testament to the University of Idaho’s commitment to enhancing student experiences at the College of Law,” said Erin Tomlin, assistant dean of student affairs for Idaho Law.