3L William Kunkle Builds Advocacy Skills and Career Path Through UC Law SF’s Appellate Project 

3L student William Kunkle sharpened his legal writing and advocacy skills through real casework, faculty mentorship, and access to the Bay Area appellate community.

3L student William Kunkle shares how UC Law SF’s Appellate Project prepared him for legal practice and helped him secure a post-graduation job at a top appellate law firm. 

• Worked on an appellate brief with a supervising attorney. 

• Gained knowledge and skills in appellate advocacy and statutory interpretation through coursework that prepared him for appellate practice. 

• Networked with state and federal appellate judges and practitioners — connections that helped him gain a post-graduation position. 

3L William Kunkle:  

The day I submitted the opening brief for our client in the Appellate Project is my favorite UC Law SF memory so far. I am the first in my family to attend law school, so being able to tell my mom and brothers that an argument written by me would be considered by a panel of judges was a surreal milestone. Submitting the brief felt like the culmination of all the lessons I have learned so far from my professors and peers.  

Through the Appellate Project, I am representing a real client in an indigent criminal appeal. With the guidance of my supervising attorney, Leah Spero, I researched and drafted the appellant’s opening and reply briefs. I will be arguing the case, which focuses on the adequacy of the jury instructions, at the First District Court of Appeal this April. 

Two courses in particular prepared me for appellate practice. Professor Jackie Dailey’s Appellate Advocacy class let me practice brief writing with constant and useful feedback. Professor Dave Owen’s Statutory Interpretation: Legislation and Regulation course gave me experience dissecting the meaning of statutes, which is a common task on appeal but can be very complicated. 

Participating in the Appellate Project improved my legal writing and perspective on  constructing effective briefs. There is always something to edit, and working closely with an attorney on an argument, sentence by sentence, further refined my persuasion skills. Great briefs get right to the point and use short sentences. But it takes a lot of time and effort to craft a concise brief.  

The Appellate Project has built the foundation for the career I want in appellate practice. It brought me into real appellate work, connected me with practitioners in the field, and opened the door to the Bay Area Appellate American Inn of Court, where I spoke directly with state and federal appellate judges and practitioners. I secured my post-graduation employment with an appellate law firm through the networking opportunities the Appellate Project created.  

I would highly recommend the UC Law Appellate Project to any student interested in appellate practice. It subjects a student’s legal writing to a practitioner’s standards. Crafting arguments with an attorney is an invaluable experience. The stakes are higher when a real client’s case is on the line, and when an opposing party will challenge all of the arguments you make. Admittedly, it’s nerve-racking but that’s what the practice of law entails. The Appellate Project is a genuinely enlightening experience that breaks the jitters of real appellate work – all before graduation!  

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the College’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.