Ole Miss Law Launched Appellate Litigation Clinic
The University of Mississippi School of Law opened a new clinic for students to represent clients in active appeals.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Law
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The University of Mississippi School of Law officially opened its Appellate Litigation Clinic for the fall 2026 semester. On August 26, 2026, six inaugural student-attorneys were sworn in with authority to represent clients in civil and criminal appeals.
Why it matters
This initiative provides law students with hands-on experience in the appellate process while expanding legal representation capacity for active cases. By working directly on court records and briefs, students gain practical skills necessary for future courtroom advocacy.
The inaugural class consists of 6 student-attorneys granted authority to represent clients in civil and criminal appeals. These students serve under faculty and professional attorney supervision to research, draft memoranda, and write briefs.
The players
University of Mississippi School of Law
This is a public law school in Oxford that serves as the educational institution hosting the new appellate clinic.
Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP
This is a private law firm that serves as the corporate sponsor for the new clinical program.
David Sanders
He is a Magistrate Judge who participated in the swearing-in ceremony for the new student-attorneys.
Lawrence L. Little
He is a judge who presided over the swearing-in proceedings for the inaugural clinic class.
The details
Student-attorneys in the clinic perform comprehensive reviews of case records and prepare formal legal filings under the guidance of experienced faculty and external counsel. The program is sponsored by Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP, providing students the opportunity to eventually argue cases before the Mississippi Court of Appeals.
Timeline
August 26, 2026: Student-attorneys were sworn in for limited practice.
Fall 2026 semester: The clinic began operations at the law school.
Political Context
The clinic follows the regulatory framework established by the Mississippi Bar limited practice rules for law students, allowing them to gain professional experience before graduation. Critics of such programs often highlight potential concerns regarding the consistency of defense quality compared to established legal counsel.
This program offers residents involved in civil or criminal appeals potential access to additional legal support through the clinic’s student-attorney services. It creates a new avenue for legal representation within the state court system, potentially impacting case processing for those who qualify.
The takeaway
The addition of this clinic signals a shift toward more integrated practical training within the Mississippi legal education landscape. Students looking to specialize in appellate law should monitor clinic enrollment cycles to gain this specialized experience.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal developments in the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Oxford Eagle.
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