WashU Law welcomed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to campus on Wednesday, April 15, hosting a full morning of oral arguments followed by a Q&A with students.
A three-judge panel—The Honorable Raymond W. Gruender; The Honorable Duane Benton; and The Honorable Ralph Erickson—heard Headly v. Helm, Revenue Management Services v. Commerce Bank, and U.S. v. Sutton during the session. Each argument ran approximately 30 minutes and followed the same protocols as a federal courthouse. The Q&A conversation, moderated by WashU Law alumna Susan Bindler, JD ’96, and the Clerk of Court for the Eighth Circuit, focused on the judges’ career paths, decision-making on the bench, and the day-to-day realities of appellate work. Students were also given the opportunity to ask judges about effective oral argument strategies.
The visit offered students a close look at federal appellate advocacy and procedure, bringing the courtroom experience directly into the law school. The court’s visit is part of an ongoing effort to connect students with the judiciary and provide firsthand exposure to appellate practice.
WashU Law extends thanks to Professors Sheldon Evans and Conor Clarke for organizing the event; the attorneys who appeared before the court; and to The Honorable Raymond W. Gruender, The Honorable Duane Benton, The Honorable Ralph Erickson, and Susan Bindler for their time and participation.
Read the full briefs here.
