Civil Justice Clinic News

Pierce Appointed Civil Justice Clinic Attorney
Kathryn Pierce has been appointed a lecturer in law and the new supervising attorney for the law school’s Civil Justice Clinic. [view news release]

Clinic Client Calls Early Release 'A Miracle'
Release from prison of a domestic violence survivor who served eight years of a 30-year murder sentence, after the clinic successfully petitioned the outgoing Missouri governor for executive clemency and represented their client through the parole process. [view news release]

Juvenile Justice Expert Quinn to Join Law Faculty
Mae Quinn, who specializes in juvenile justice representation, problem-solving courts, and clinical legal education, has accepted an offer to join the Washington University Law faculty as a professor of law, beginning July 1. She will be teaching Criminal Law and in the Civil Justice Clinic, which will be developing a youth advocacy component. [view news release]

Clinic Wins Child Order of Protection Fee Case
A major victory in the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District regarding waiver of court and legal fees imposed on those seeking an order of protection for children. [view news release]

Eviction help in St. Louis City Section 8 housing
Helping a client, who faced eviction from St. Louis City Section 8 housing, keep her home, after the clinic brought to light extenuating circumstances due to violence perpetrated against her.

Clinic Students Celebrate Client's Freedom
Graduating students Olivia Bradbury and Sarah Wilhite finished their law school career with the emotionally charged experience of watching their client walk out of prison.

Clinic Students Celebrate Client’s Freedom - In April 2007, Clinic student Olivia Bradbury, JD '07, successfully argued a habeas petition before the Missouri Supreme Court. The oral arguments were the final step in a long process in which the clinic had obtained a commutation for Lute, but then had to fight for her parole.

Clinic students Sarah Wilhite, 'JD '07, left, and
Olivia Bradbury, JD '07, celebrate with their client
Shirley Lute, who was released from prison.

The oldest female inmate in Missouri, Lute had been incarcerated for 29 years for her role in the murder of her abusive husband.  In addition to Bradbury and Wilhite, other students and faculty in the Civil Justice Clinic and the Missouri Battered Women’s Clemency Coalition worked on the case for more than seven years.  [view news release]