EENR Clinic Students Visit 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

As part of the clinic practicum, the Energy, Environment and Natural Resource (“EENR”) Law Clinic observed oral arguments before the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Inside of a packed courthouse the EENR Clinic witnessed two separate oral arguments made by the State of Wyoming regarding wild horse management.

Prior to the oral argument, clinic students assisted the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office conduct a practice moot. During a practice moot, lawyers rehearse their arguments and practice answering questions. Colleagues ask a series of difficult questions to simulate the judicial panel. Although a typical appellate argument is restricted to 15 minutes, practice moots often take hours.

University of Wyoming law student and clinic participant, Conner Nicklas said, "Attending the State of Wyoming’s arguments at the 10th Circuit was a great experience. As a law student who wants to be involved in environmental litigation it was invaluable to listen to good attorneys arguing before an esteemed appellate court regarding an issue that affects the entire West."

The EENR Clinic’s foundation is providing students with real world experience before they graduate. After arguments, students were given an inside tour of the Byron White United States Courthouse in Denver, Colorado. The 10^th Circuit arguments and tour are just two examples of the clinic’s experiential learning opportunities.

The EENR Clinic is a cooperation between the State of Wyoming Attorney General’s Office and the University of Wyoming College of Law. The Clinic’s classroom component is designed to allow guest lecturers to discuss important elements of environmental law, oral advocacy, and administrative procedure. These components are further built upon as students participate in their clinical work. Clinical assignments are wholly comprised of actual issues in the field of natural resources affecting the State of Wyoming.

Article By: Micah Christensen

Pictured (Back Row) Michael Kollker, Carter Bruening, Micah Christensen (Front Row) Megan Condon, Calli Caparo, Tatiana Bannan, Connor Nicklaus