The University of Miami School of Law recently traded the quiet of the library for the energy of a live federal courtroom. In late January, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit convened on campus, offering law students a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of appellate advocacy. For the aspiring litigators at Miami Law, this wasn't just an observation of a hearing; it was a bridge between the classroom and the courtroom.
From the Classroom to the Courtroom
The visiting panel heard oral arguments for four distinct and complex cases, ranging from criminal procedure to civil rights and federal statutory interpretation. By hosting these proceedings at the University of Miami, the Eleventh Circuit provided a transparent look at the judicial process, allowing students to witness what is required at the highest levels of the federal system.
Professor Jill Barton, director of the Legal Communication and Research Skills program, emphasized the practical value of the experience.
“Connecting our federal appellate community with our Miami Law students created an unforgettable experience,” she said. “Our students spend the spring semester learning how to write trial motions and appellate briefs and how to present oral arguments at both stages. Being able to see the judicial process unfolding in front of them makes everything from their classroom practice click in a far more concrete way. It brings their writing and advocacy work to life.”
A Unique Peek Behind the Curtain
In a unique educational overlap, assistant U.S. attorney and LComm adjunct professor Nicole Mariani represented the government in United States v. Louis. Before her official appearance, she allowed her 1L students to "moot" her—acting as a mock panel of judges to test her arguments and poke holes in her theories.
This "peek behind the curtain" allowed students to see the evolution of a legal argument from the drafting phase to the final delivery. Nathan Thomas, a 1L student who participated in the moot, noted how the experience demystified the daunting nature of federal practice.
"The opportunity to help moot Professor Mariani in our LComm class before her oral arguments was an incredible experience," Thomas said. "It gave us 1Ls the chance to look into the real preparation and precision that goes into federal appellate advocacy. Watching how she refined her arguments after the moot and then carried that confidence into the actual hearing made the process feel tangible in a way classroom exercises alone can’t. It was also such a cool experience to see an actual hearing at our very own law school."
The Cases on the Docket: From Sentencing to 2 Live Crew
The cases presented a diverse legal landscape, including the return of the legendary Miami rap group 2 Live Crew to the Eleventh Circuit’s docket. Decades after their historic First Amendment battles, the group’s surviving members were back in court fighting to reclaim the copyrights to their iconic music catalog. From the sentencing intricacies in Louis to high-profile copyright disputes, each argument was like watching the textbooks come to life.
Q&A with Judge Jordan
Once the gavels came down, the atmosphere shifted from formal proceedings to a Q&A session with the Honorable Adalberto Jordan—a law alumnus (J.D. ’87), former Law Review member, and current adjunct professor who teaches Fundamentals of Appellate Advocacy.
Moderated by Professor Diana Zamora, the session allowed students to move past the "what" of the law and into the "how" of a judicial career. Judge Jordan shared candid insights into the professional path from law student to the federal bench, humanizing the high court and making a federal career feel like an attainable goal for current Canes.
By bringing these hearings directly to the students, Miami Law makes sure its graduates don't just know the law on paper; they understand how a courtroom functions. For those 1Ls currently preparing for their own spring oral arguments, the standard has been set.
Read more about Miami Law’s experiential learning opportunities.
Read more about Miami Law’s Legal Communications and Research Skills program
