Spring Break
SW Student Writes 9th Circuit Appellate Brief
Shawn Loring
Issue date: 1/1/01 Section: Southwestern Community
January 2008
In fall 2007, Tajira McCoy, 2L Evening student, authored an approximately 40-page 9th Circuit Appellate Brief for an immigration case that surrounds a family that illegally immigrated to the United States more than 20 years ago. McCoy read 400-plus pages of administrative record and researched supporting cases in two weeks. The brief was ready to revise in two more.
“The associate and partner suggested specific revisions fo word choice, clarity, and aesthetic purposes,” said McCoy.
She was given a sample of what a finished appellate brief looked like for the 9th Circuit, but said that “it was based on completely different issues, so structuring was still kind of up in the air.”
The courts traditionally interpret immigration statutes narrowly. McCoy’s brief contends that if the courts consider al the factors collectively, instead of one at a time, the family could show an “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” suffered by their qualifying U.S. citizen relative.
“These are good people, they pay taxes, they have the proper circumstances required by the statutes, and they genuinely want a better life for their kids and grandkids,” said McCoy.
We wish McCoy and the firm that employs her success on this appeal.
In fall 2007, Tajira McCoy, 2L Evening student, authored an approximately 40-page 9th Circuit Appellate Brief for an immigration case that surrounds a family that illegally immigrated to the United States more than 20 years ago. McCoy read 400-plus pages of administrative record and researched supporting cases in two weeks. The brief was ready to revise in two more.
“The associate and partner suggested specific revisions fo word choice, clarity, and aesthetic purposes,” said McCoy.
She was given a sample of what a finished appellate brief looked like for the 9th Circuit, but said that “it was based on completely different issues, so structuring was still kind of up in the air.”
The courts traditionally interpret immigration statutes narrowly. McCoy’s brief contends that if the courts consider al the factors collectively, instead of one at a time, the family could show an “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” suffered by their qualifying U.S. citizen relative.
“These are good people, they pay taxes, they have the proper circumstances required by the statutes, and they genuinely want a better life for their kids and grandkids,” said McCoy.
We wish McCoy and the firm that employs her success on this appeal.
Be the first to comment on this story