Special Outreach Session at the UC Davis School of Law

September 27, 2012

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Supreme Court to Hold Special Outreach Session at the UC Davis School of Law, Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall

Hundreds of Students to Observe Oral Arguments; event will also be broadcast live on the California Channel

The Supreme Court of California will hold a special oral argument session on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in the new Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom, University of California at Davis School of Law, Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall, 400 Mrak Hall Drive, Davis, California (map).

The morning session will begin at 10 a.m. and will include introductory remarks, student questions and answers by the justices, followed by oral argument in Ralphs Grocery Co. v. United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 8 (Case No. S185544). The afternoon session will begin at 1:10 p.m. and will include oral argument in Nalwa v. Cedar Fair, L.P. (Case No. S195031) and Sargon Enterprises, Inc. v. University of Southern California et al. (Case No. S191550). Information about these cases can be found here. 

“The Supreme Court justices are extremely grateful to the UC Davis School of Law for hosting this special oral argument session,” said Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye. “The special session will provide a unique educational opportunity for both law school and local high school students to observe the Supreme Court in action as it hears oral arguments in three cases of major statewide importance.”

Hundreds of UC Davis law students, joined by 60 local high school students, members of the public, and the press, are expected to attend the oral arguments. To enhance understanding of the proceedings, the Supreme Court previously posted a calendar with expanded summaries of the cases to be argued, as well as links to the parties’ briefing in these cases. 

Using these materials, teachers at Davis, West Sacramento Early College Prep, and Pioneer High Schools, assisted by Shama Mesiwala, a chambers attorney to Justice Ronald B. Robie of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, have been working with the high school students to provide context for the proceedings they are about to witness and to otherwise maximize this unique learning experience. The event will also be broadcast live on the California Channel, enabling other students and members of the public throughout the state to witness the Supreme Court in action.

Before oral arguments begin, selected law school and high school students will have a chance to ask questions of the justices from the podium.  In addition to the courtroom proceedings, as part of the visit, the Supreme Court will attend a luncheon with law school faculty and students, as well as members of the Yolo County bench and bar. 

Finally, during the special session, the Supreme Court will recognize the opening of the new UC Davis California Supreme Court Clinic. The clinic was created to provide UC Davis law students an invaluable opportunity to focus on cases pending before the California Supreme Court. Under the supervision of clinic director Aimee Feinberg, students will research and draft pleadings, such as petitions for review and amicus curiae briefs, on behalf of clinic clients. 

Seating in the courtroom is very limited, but proceedings will be available to all interested students and visitors in overflow classrooms and the many video screens throughout King Hall. 

Media planning to attend should contact Leanne Kozak, leanne.kozak@jud.ca.gov, to assure accommodation.