Students in the CSU Law Appellate Clinic students, led by Professor Doron Kalir, recently achieved a victory on the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on behalf of a client in a domestic violence case.

B.K., a domestic violence victim, secured a Civil Protective Order against her abuser in Domestic Relations Court. The abuser sought to modify or cancel the CPO, but the D.R. Court denied his motion. He then appealed to the Eighth District Court of Appeals.

The victim, who appeared pro-se below, sought help from the Appellate Practice Clinic. Students Alyssa Weyand, Bryce Moyer, and Jenna Pappagna sprung into action. They first filed a Notice of Appearance with the Court, and then counted the days. When it became clear that Appellant (the abuser) missed his deadline to timely fille his Opening Brief, they authored a Motion to Dismiss the appeal. In their Motion, the students explained that the Court had the authority to dismiss the appeal; that other Ohio courts have dismissed similar appeals in the past under similar circumstances; and that this case was a perfect vehicle for such a dismissal because of its unique features.

On Friday, September 18, the Court of Appeals granted the Motion in full, and in a one-sentence opinion dismissed the appeal in its entirety. The client was truly moved. Senior Clinical Professor Doron Kalir served as the Counsel of Record.