Watch 3L Berkeley Law Students Argue Before the Ninth Circuit

On April 1, 2025, Thomas Saenz and Paul Rock will argue Puckett v. Agboli. You can watch simulcasts of these arguments at the Ninth Circuit’s website. Here is the link for the live video stream. The oral argument session starts at 9:00 am. Our case is currently second on the calendar. The first case will take approximately 20 minutes. Recordings of all oral arguments are available the day after argument at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/

In 2013, Mr. Puckett, an inmate, sued the prison guard defendants, alleging that they used excessive force during a cell extraction. At the pretrial stage, the district court denied Puckett’s requests for four of his inmate witnesses to testify at trial. The district court also denied the appointment of voluntary counsel for Puckett, who alleged that counsel was necessary due to his severe mental illness. Puckett lost at trial. On appeal are three issues: (1) the court’s exclusion of Puckett’s witnesses, (2) the court’s denial of appointment of voluntary counsel, and (3) the court’s dismissal of various claims at PLRA screening and summary judgment.

Are you currently a second-year student, and interested in arguing before the Ninth Circuit next academic year? Learn more about the Ninth Circuit Practicum here. Applications are due Monday, April 7th at 5:00pm!