A group of evening law students with the Honorable Dale B. Durrer during the LSP reception

On the evening of Friday, April 11, 2025, Catholic Law's Lawyering Skills Program (LSP) hosted its capstone appellate arguments. In this culminating event, 126 first-year students presented their arguments before a panel of alumni judges. Upper-level students generously contributed their time, serving as bailiffs and backup judges to support the proceedings. Throughout the semester, LSP students analyzed the legal case from multiple perspectives in class, but this live simulation offered a dynamic, hands-on experience that provided a fitting conclusion to their coursework.

This year’s problem involved an appeal of the dismissal of a negligence claim against the United States of America under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Plaintiff, Amelia Starnes Hayworth, contracted a staph infection at a government-owned hospital where she was treated for serious injuries sustained in a car accident. Hayworth alleged that the negligence of hospital employees, acting within the scope of their employ, was the proximate cause of her injuries. The government moved to dismiss the suit, arguing that the district court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction on sovereign immunity grounds. The United States District Court for the Southern District of California granted the government’s 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss and Hayworth appealed to the Ninth Circuit. During the semester, first-year students dedicated themselves to this case, even switching sides for the appeal.

The final oral arguments were judged by over 60 alumni who generously volunteered their time. Professor Lisa Everhart, Director of the Lawyering Skills Program, expressed her gratitude, stating,  “The Lawyering Skills faculty and the student advocates are grateful to the alumni and Moot Court associates whose support was instrumental in this event’s success. Special thanks to Renee Stack and Kelly Crines, Office of Student Life and Special Events, and Rebecca Riddell, Administrative Assistant, for event planning and coordination.”