On April 12, 2016, nearly 100 people filled a classroom in Santa Clara Law’s Bannan Hall to hear three NCIP students recount their roles in Larry Pohlschneider’s exoneration. Leah Collins,’16, Thomas Levine, ’16, and Danny Wall, ’16, explained the history of the case and their participation in the actual innocence hearing NCIP won in November 2015. Courtney Eggleston, ’17, another student member of the Pohlschneider team, was unavailable participate in the presentation.
NCIP student Leah Collins, ’16, presents to the Santa Clara University community on the Pohlschneider case. Photo: Jaclyn Gioiosa
The presentation provided insight into the broad range of skills students develop throughout the course of NCIP’s clinical program. This year, NCIP students had the opportunity to interview clients in prison, prepare a motion to transfer a state prisoner to the county jail to testify, conduct the direct examination of an alleged victim, and work with medical and psychological experts to prepare for their direct examinations at hearing. Students also assisted in drafting prehearing briefs, proposed orders, and Mr. Pohlschneider’s Penal Code section 4900 petition for compensation. They participated in settlement negotiations and in off-the-record case discussions in the judge’s chambers as well.
“The hands on experience I gained at NCIP is unlike any other class I have taken at law school,” explained Danny Wall. “The education, lessons, and instruction allowed me to grow professionally and develop skills that I will carry into my career.”
“It was clear from the students’ excellent presentation of the case that they had gained comprehensive knowledge of the legal issues and a number of critical professional skills that will serve them well in their future legal work,” said Assistant Legal Director Maitreya Badami.
“We frequently hear from former NCIP students about how their work in the NCIP clinic helped prepare them for their legal career,” explained Badami. “But it was incredibly rewarding to see firsthand through this presentation the lawyering skills our students developed over the course of this year.”
