A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit—one of 13 appellate courts of the United States federal judiciary—will hear oral argument at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law on Thursday, October 24.
The arguments are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Law School’s DeLaney Moot Court Room. The proceedings are open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m. An overflow room will be available if needed. The arguments are expected to conclude by 12:30 p.m.
“The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has a long tradition of sitting at in-circuit law schools when invited to do so,” said the Hon. Diane S. Sykes, the court’s chief judge. “When we emerged from the pandemic, we reinvigorated and expanded the program. Now the court sits twice a year at law schools around our circuit, and we incorporate learning opportunities and additional programming for students, local bar members, and the public. We remain committed to ensuring that the court is accessible and to enhancing the public’s understanding of the importance of our work.”
The Seventh Circuit, based in Chicago, is the federal appellate court with jurisdiction over district courts in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The three judges hearing the arguments will not be known until the day of the event. The panel will hear arguments of between 10- and 15- minutes per side in six cases—a mix of civil and criminal. They include:
- William Huggins, et al v. ABK Tracking, Incorporated, et al
- Satanic Temple, Inc. v. Todd Rokita, et al
- USA v. Edward Gibbs
- USA v. Jonathan S. Rose
- Raquel Haro v. Porter County, Indiana, et al
- Gayl Flynn v. Consolidated City of Indianapolis and County of Ma, et al
“This is an enriching and rare opportunity for the local community—particularly our students and those students interested in debate, the judiciary, and the legal process—to hear how one of our nation’s most prominent courts operates,” said Indiana Law Dean Christiana Ochoa. “There is a long history between the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and we’re proud to host these arguments October 24.”
The Hon. Sherman Minton, a 1915 graduate of the Law School, authored more than 250 opinions during his eight-year tenure on the Seventh Circuit before he was elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Hon. David F. Hamilton, whose chambers are housed in the Law School’s Baier Hall, was President Barack Obama’s first judicial appointee in 2009. And the Hon. Doris L. Pryor, a 2003 alumna of the Law School, became the first woman of color from Indiana to serve on the Seventh Circuit following her confirmation by the U.S. Senate in late 2022.
Judges will meet with small groups of law students during their visit, providing insight into the court’s work as well as their career paths to the bench.
The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit last heard arguments at the Law School in 2012.