L to R: LSU Law students Alexier Barbour, Victoria Jowers, Ashley Jackson, Ben Aguinaga, Lance Neyland and Professor Robert Lancaster in front of the Louisiana Supreme Court. The students have spent the spring 2015 semester working on the appeal in the case of State ex rel. Herbert Nicholson, Petitioner-Appelant v. State of Louisiana, Respondent-Appelle. Aguinaga presented the oral argument to the court on March 16.
Five LSU Law students recently experienced what it is like to prepare for—and ultimately argue—before the Louisiana Supreme Court. It was an opportunity that many seasoned lawyers never experience, according to Professor Robert Lancaster, Director of the LSU Law Clinical Education Program. The students, Ben Aguinaga, Alexier Barbour, Ashley Jackson, Victoria Jowers and Lance Neyland spent this semester working on the appeal in the case of State ex rel. Herbert Nicholson, Petitioner-Appelant v. State of Louisiana, Respondent-Appelle. Their work culminated on March 16, as Aguinaga presented the oral argument before the Louisiana Supreme Court.
“It was a humbling opportunity to stand behind the appellate podium on behalf of not only our client but also the Law Clinic and the Law Center,” said Aguinaga. “The oral argument, of course, would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our team members, who devoted many hours to tracking down evidence not in the record, working through hard constitutional problems, and writing an exceptional brief. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to the numerous faculty members who judged our moots in preparation for the argument. These foundational efforts enabled us to both help our client and demonstrate the talents that LSU Law students have to offer. I can say without reservation that participating in the heart of the appellate process before the state’s high court as a law student was an unparalleled experience and has certainly been the highlight of my time at LSU Law.”
The Louisiana Supreme Court appointed the LSU Law Clinic to represent the Appellant. Through the Law Clinic, the Law Center offers second and third-year students the opportunity to practice law and represent indigent clients in the Baton Rouge community. The Law Clinic is analogous to a residency in medical school where, under close faculty supervision, students practice by representing real clients with important legal issues. Students practice in local courts, before administrative agencies and other venues. The Law Clinic is a self-contained legal services office located in the Law Center where students are certified to practice law pursuant to Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XX.
