![Tess Chaffee and Patrick Maney in UC Law court room](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/04/n21241441/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1712255695667.jpg)
Third-year law students win pro bono victory with Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Congratulations to University of Cincinnati third-year law students Patrick Maney and Tess Chaffee who recently won an important pro bono victory in United States v. Alvarado after arguing the appeal before a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. “It was a difficult case, as criminal appeals usually are, with complicated Second Amendment and gun-related sentencing issues,” said Colter Paulson, Of Counsel at Squire Patton Boggs. “The panel was aggressive, but Tess and Pat did an excellent job of thinking on their feet and answering tough questions.” Chaffee and Maney participated in the colleges’ Sixth Circuit Clinic, through which this case was litigated. Paulson is one of the directors of the clinic.
"It feels so rewarding to know that we are making a real difference in our client's life. And it was such a great experience to start my career in litigation,” said Chaffee. Upon graduation, Chaffee plans to work in litigation at the Squire Patton Boggs office in Phoenix, Arizona. Her partner, Maney, agreed. "I’m very excited for our client, and extremely proud of the hard work our classmates and faculty put in. It was a team effort and win!" Maney plans to work in transactional law in the Cincinnati office of Squire Patton Boggs upon graduation.
Elements about the case: United States v. Alvarado
Though skeptical about the gun-related issues during the oral argument, Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton was very complementary about their argument afterwards. Even better, he ultimately signed on to a unanimous published decision reversing a four-point “reckless endangerment” enhancement on the client’s sentence. The panel held that reckless endangerment requires the government to introduce evidence that someone was actually endangered by a firearm, not just that people were scared from hearing the gunshots. This result could take years off the client’s sentence, potentially getting the client out of prison later this year.
How the Sixth Circuit Clinic works
Cincinnati Law’s Sixth Circuit Clinic introduces students to the basics of appellate advocacy. Through the clinic, students learn to navigate the federal appellate process in both civil and criminal appeals. They work on appeals from beginning to end, conferring with clients, reviewing records, figuring out issues to raise, drafting and filing the appellate brief, and participating in mock arguments. Some students, like Chaffee and Maney, get the opportunity to argue a case before the court.
"I applied for the Sixth Circuit Clinic for the opportunity to learn about appellate practice from skilled attorneys while gaining hands on experience,” said Chaffee. “The clinic allows you to see an appeal through as a law student, from reviewing the record, conducting legal research, formulating arguments, and drafting and editing the briefs, to preparing and arguing a case in front of a panel of judges of the Sixth Circuit."
"I joined the Sixth Circuit Clinic to work on hard cases,” said Maney. “The clinic allowed me to collaborate with my peers on complex legal matters and to learn from experts in the field while gaining real life experience.”
The Sixth Circuit Clinic is taught by Paulson and Nathan Colvin, Vice President and Associate General Counsel (Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement) at Fifth Third Bank.
Lead photo: Joey Yerace
Related Stories
UC opens Blood Cancer Healing Center
June 28, 2024
![WLWT 5 logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wlwt-dark.png)
Media outlets including WLWT, Local 12, Spectrum News, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cleveland.com highlighted the opening of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Blood Cancer Healing Center.
New project aims to better support teen mothers in Adams County
June 27, 2024
![WCPO logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wcpo-dark.png)
WCPO highlighted a partnership between the University of Cincinnati and the Adams County Health Department that is aiming to provide better support for teen mothers in the county.
Carnegie Foundation recognizes UC with Leadership for Public Purpose classification
June 24, 2024
UC part of inaugural group honored for focusing on developing students as leaders
Emergency rooms see uptick with heat-related illnesses
June 24, 2024
![Spectrum News logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/spectrum-news.png)
The University of Cincinnati's Caroline Freiermuth spoke with Spectrum News about how to look for signs of heat-related illness.
UC completes $85 million renovation of key residence hall
June 24, 2024
![Cincinnati Business Courier logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/cin-business-courier.png)
After 18 months of renovation, Siddall Hall will re-open for UC students in August, offering 500 beds on 12 floors of residence hall space. The 112,000 square-foot residence hall will offer new amenities including at ground level 5,000 square feet of fitness space, along with common laundry, common kitchenette and lounge space. Local media got a sneak peek of an updated Siddall Hall.
The scientific reason songs get stuck in your head
June 21, 2024
![Prevention logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/prevention.png)
The University of Cincinnati's Steven Gordon was featured in a Prevention article discussing the science behind earworms, when a song gets stuck in your head and you can't get it out.
Technology provides new understanding of voice, swallowing physiology
June 21, 2024
University of Cincinnati laryngology researchers are using high-speed camera technology to learn more about the physiology of voice and swallowing and improve patient outcomes.
UC Blue Ash College's fall semester application deadline is July 1
June 21, 2024
The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is reminding prospective students to submit their application by July 1, 2024, to ensure they are considered for all scholarships and placement testing.
Environmental engineer researches water treatment solutions
June 21, 2024
Katelin “Katie” Weitzel was first drawn to the University of Cincinnati by the esteemed College of Engineering and Applied Science, but her decision was solidified by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Dionysios Dionysiou in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. Weitzel’s interest in water treatment came from growing up in Michigan and witnessing firsthand the impact of a water crisis. During her time at UC she has been awarded the Rindsberg Fellowship, a Graduate Student Award in Environmental Chemistry, and recently was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by CEAS.
Engineering’s gender gap narrows
June 20, 2024
UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science has launched the careers of many women across engineering disciplines. With much to celebrate, women say there is still more to do to reach equity in the workplace.