Daniel Arkof '15 Argues Before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Daniel Arkof '15 argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on April 13, earning praise from Judge Norman Randy Smith for his advocacy on behalf of the plaintiff-appellant in Fields v. Burson, an action alleging Eighth and First Amendment claims against prison officials. The arguments were broadcast live on video screens around King Hall and are available for viewing on Ninth Circuit website by following the link below.

Video of hearing: Fields v. Burson

Working under the direction of Professor Carter "Cappy" White, supervising attorney with the King Hall Civil Rights Clinic, Arkof appeared before a panel that included Judge Smith, Senior Circuit Judge Mary M. Schroeder, and United States District Judge Roger T. Benitez, sitting by designation.

"I am indebted to Professor White and other King Hall professors and faculty members who devoted time to my preparation," said Arkof.

Professor White said that a number of people in the King Hall community deserve credit for supporting Arkof's efforts, including Stephanie Ho '15, who coauthored the opening brief. White said that members of the King Hall faculty also pitched in by judging practice arguments, including Professors Katherine Florey, David Horton, John Hunt, Margaret Johns, Carlton Larson, and Brian Soucek, as well as Holly Cooper, lecturer and staff attorney at the Immigration Law Clinic, and J. Angelo DeSantis, a Richard C. Wydick Legal Writing and Research Fellow.