Appeal and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic

Overview

SADO logoThe Appeal and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic (APAC) is a partnership with Michigan's State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO) that offers students training in practical lawyering skills and is taught by part-time faculty who are experienced SADO attorneys.

For students

Students will work with indigent clients who are challenging their felony convictions or sentences in state or federal court, in cooperation with SADO. Students will meet with the instructor in individual sessions and class sessions to discuss writing, investigation, client communication, research and the appellate and correctional processes. Students have client contact and may participate in an actual circuit court argument. Regardless of the court filing in each case, every student must prepare an appellate document (motion and brief, application for leave to appeal, or a memorandum of law) on behalf of their client.

APAC is a four (4) credit course. It meets the experiential education requirement or the upper-level writing requirement, but not both. 

Pre/co-requisites:

  • Completed all required first-year courses
  • Good academic standing at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher
  • LEX 6800 Professional Responsibility
  • Consent of instructor

For donors

Please consider investing in the work of the clinics by making a gift. Visit giving.wayne.edu or contact Rob MacGregor, senior director of philanthropy, at (313) 577-4141 or rmacgregor@wayne.edu.

Contact

Due to COVID-19, Wayne Law's clinics are temporarily unable to accommodate walk-ins. Please use the information below to reach the Appeal and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic. 

For more information, email lawclinics@wayne.edu or call (313) 577-4015.