On April 5, before a large audience of law students and faculty members, The Alabama Supreme Court held a special session—an oral argument hearing—at The University of Alabama School of Law.
“The Supreme Court of Alabama was delighted to take our Court proceedings out of Montgomery and to Tuscaloosa to show the future lawyers at the University of Alabama School of Law our oral argument hearings in action,” said Chief Justice Tom Parker. “The Preamble of our Alabama Constitution identifies that the first purpose of the Constitution is to ‘establish justice.’ As we sought to establish justice in the case that was before our Court, our hope was that Alabama Law students would be educated by seeing our courts in action, and hopefully, also inspired to pursue and walk in the paths of justice in their forthcoming legal careers.”
Before the case began, observers were welcomed by Dean Mark E. Brandon, and the case was introduced by Alabama Law 3L, Govin Kaggal. This special session offered a unique opportunity for Alabama Law students to observe a hearing in front of the highest Court in the State of Alabama.
“All of our students participate in intramural moot court, and several have recently competed in regional and national moot court competitions. These opportunities simulate the experience of arguing before an appellate court,” said Mark E. Brandon, Dean and Thomas E. McMillan Professor of Law. “In observing this oral argument, they were able to see the appeals process in action before the Supreme Court of Alabama. We are grateful to Chief Justice Parker, the Associate Justices, and the Court’s staff for bringing this opportunity to Alabama Law for our students.”
Following the hearing and a lunch reception with Alabama Law students, several members of the Court took the time to serve as Judges for a practice round with members of the Alabama Law Carol Andrews ABA National Moot Court Team—providing the team encouragement and valuable advice before they left for the national finals of the elite ABA Competition in Washington D.C.
