The Prosecution Appellate Clinic is one of eight clinics offered to provide law students with hands-on professional development in their field.

Across the eight clinics, they cover 16 different subject areas from civil rights advocacy, tax representation and legal mediation. These experiential learning opportunities combine casework with a classroom component while being supervised by full-time faculty and dedicated practitioners.

The students split into two teams, Heather Mansfield, JD '25, partnering with Isabella Carr-Perri, JD '25, to present oral arguments in the case of State versus Jahmari Cooper, and Michael Coudert JD '25, alongside Rajan Doering JD '25, presented oral arguments in the case of State versus John Bolton.

Ronald Weller, part-time and visiting clinical professor, spoke highly about the students, and the incredible program offering a rare learning experience for students.

“The students did a wonderful job both on the briefs and during oral arguments and they received praise from experienced lawyers for how poised and prepared they were,” said Weller. “Giving the students this kind of opportunity is why the Quinnipiac law school's experiential clinic program was awarded an A+ grade for practical training by the National Jurist preLaw magazine.”

Mansfield and Carr-Perri presented oral arguments in the case of State versus Jahmari Cooper. The case involved two issues on appeal, a juvenile interrogation rule and whether the trial prosecutor engaged in misconduct in her remarks during closing argument.

This experience proved to be the most formidable challenge she's faced thus far, Mansfield explained.

“I never imagined I’d have an opportunity like this so early in my career. I’m deeply grateful,” she added. 

Carr-Perri’s experience was surreal, and one she will remember for a lifetime.

“Many seasoned attorneys may never get the chance to argue at this level," she said. "To do so this early in my career — just after graduating law school — is something I’ll never forget. I’m excited to carry this experience with me always, and have certainly learned a lot that I will be able to apply in the future!”

Coudert and Doering presented oral arguments in the case of State versus John Bolton, a case where the court considered the correct procedure to follow when a jury announces a guilty verdict in open court, but one of the juror’s expresses uncertainty about their verdict. In this case, the trial court sent the jury back to continue deliberations and the defendant claimed the court should have declared a mistrial.

Doering explained the hard work and long hours he spent on the brief and his overall experience.

“After spending months writing the brief and preparing for oral argument, it was very rewarding to see this come together,” said Doering. “I know many lawyers go their entire career without ever getting to do this, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do so just days after graduating. I have always been interested in appellate work, public service, and criminal law, and participating in the Prosecution Appellate Clinic was by far the best thing I did while in law school."

"I am sure I will always remember this case as my first appearance before the state Supreme Court, and I look forward to applying the skills I learned to my future work,” Doering added.

Coudert felt truly fortunate to experience this level of hands-on learning in a courtroom, an opportunity that many lawyers may not experience during their entire careers.