Appellate court hears case on campus
School of Law students enjoyed having 'a front-row seat to justice'
May 7, 2025
Share
On April 14, the Sixth Division of the Illinois First District Appellate Court conducted oral arguments on a criminal case at the School of Law, providing students with an invaluable opportunity to witness the appellate court in action. Presiding Justice Sanjay T. Tailor (JD ‘91), and Justices Carl Walker and Celia Gamrath heard the case in the ceremonial courtroom in Corboy Law Center.
Dozens of law students attended the appeal related to People v. John Breseman (1-23-2362). Breseman had been charged with and convicted by jury of first-degree murder, and the circuit court sentenced Breseman to 58 years’ imprisonment.
During the appellate proceedings, students heard attorneys representing the plaintiff and defendant. “I thought it was interesting what each of the attorneys chose to focus on during their arguments for what they thought was the most persuasive and relevant to sway the judges in their favor,” said Hannah Ragnone, a second-year law student.
Coming to Loyola is a rare opportunity to bring the law to life and give law students a front-row seat to justice.
— Justice Celia Gamrath, Sixth Division of the Illinois First District Appellate Court
“Our students really appreciated the opportunity to see the appellate court in action here at the law school,” said Adrienne Mebane, director of the School of Law’s Dan K. Webb Center for Advocacy. “It was especially meaningful to have one of our very own alumni, Justice Sanjay Tailor, presiding over the proceedings.”
Justice Gamrath said she was excited to hold court at the School of Law.
“Coming to Loyola is a rare opportunity to bring the law to life and give law students a front-row seat to justice,” she said. “My colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit and meeting with students who may have never seen an appellate argument before.”
School of Law Dean Michèle Alexandre, who helped arrange the court’s visit, said that experiences like this strengthen the top-notch legal education that students receive at Loyola.
“The School of Law offers some of the best trial advocacy education in the nation,” Alexandre said. “We were thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity for our students to see the attorneys and justices at work during oral arguments.”
Read more stories from the School of Law.
