Wake Forest Law

Katie Koesters, Nayeli Selkis, Faith Shelman, and Melissa Stuckey all argued this week at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Virginia, as part of the Appellate Advocacy Clinic. The four 3Ls all ended their law school careers with appellate arguments in two different appeals. Both involved claims by inmates that the state department of corrections violated their constitutional rights.

On Tuesday, May 5, Katie and Nayeli argued for the plaintiff-appellant in the case of Stephen Roberts v. Mark Engelke, et al. In that case, after the plaintiff was not allowed to participate in Ramadan fasting, in violation of his religious beliefs, he saved meals to eat them after sundown and suffered multiple bouts of food poisoning. He claims violations of the Free Exercise Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and the Establishment Clause. The trial court dismissed the case based on qualified immunity. Katie, Nayeli, and Will Boyce (3L) researched and wrote a reply brief (students in last year’s clinic researched and wrote the opening brief). At Tuesday’s oral argument, the panel was Judge Robert King of West Virginia, Judge James Wynn of North Carolina, and Judge Stephanie Thacker of West Virginia. Katie made the opening argument, while Nayeli handled the rebuttal. Will and Professor John Korzen (`81, JD `91) were there to root them on. Both Katie and Nayeli did a fantastic job, as others in the courtroom confirmed.

Continued in the comments.

1️⃣ W E E K R E M A I N I N G 💫 This #FacultyFriday, we’re counting down to Hooding & Commencement with a look back at our faculty members’ own law school graduation ceremonies.