The Supreme Court Practice of ICAP: A Commitment to Defending Constitutional and Civil Rights
Since its establishment, the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) has been providing legal representation to individuals and organizations in civil rights and criminal justice matters before the U.S. Supreme Court. However, in response to the growing demand for specialized expertise in defending constitutional and civil rights before the highest court of the land, ICAP has expanded its Supreme Court practice.
Leadership and Expertise
Heading the Supreme Court practice is Kelsi Brown Corkran, who served as lead counsel in two of the most significant civil rights cases before the Supreme Court. Kelsi previously led the Supreme Court Practice at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in preserving the favorable civil rights and criminal justice decisions issued by the federal courts of appeals.
Preserving and Defending Civil Rights and Criminal Justice Decisions
ICAP's Supreme Court practice is committed to preserving and defending the civil rights and criminal justice decisions issued by federal courts of appeals. In the first half of the 2022 term, ICAP successfully represented the respondent in defeating certiorari in five crucial civil rights matters. These involved critical issues such as the scope of section 1983's remedies for fatal excessive police force and the liability standard for Title IX teacher-student sexual harassment. During the 2021 term, ICAP successfully represented the House Select Committee in defending against Donald Trump's efforts to prevent the committee from reviewing records relating to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Kelsi Brown Corkran's Notable Cases
Kelsi Brown Corkran's leadership and expertise have been demonstrated in the cases she has led. In Torres v. Madrid, the Court reversed a lower court decision holding that the victim of a police shooting is deprived of protection under the Fourth Amendment if the police are not immediately successful in apprehending her. In Taylor v. Riojas, a challenge to inhumane prison conditions, the Court denied qualified immunity to a government officer, marking the first time in 16 years it had done so.
ICAP's Recent Cases in the Supreme Court
ICAP has recently been involved in several cases before the Supreme Court. Here are some examples:
Acheson Hotels v. Laufer - Defending the Rights of People with Disabilities
ICAP presented oral argument on behalf of the respondent in Acheson Hotels v. Laufer, where they defended the right of people with disabilities to bring suit against hotels that violate the ADA by failing to make their online reservation services accessible. ICAP filed a merits brief in the same case, further defending the rights of people with disabilities in litigation.
Roper v. Crane and City of Arlington v. Crane - The Right to Prosecution under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
ICAP filed a brief in opposition and stay opposition in Roper v. Crane and City of Arlington v. Crane on behalf of the respondents. These cases involved the wrongful shooting of a son by a police officer for verbally resisting a request to step out of his parked car, in the absence of any immediate threat or attempt to flee. ICAP defended the right of the respondents to bring suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court practice of ICAP represents a commitment to defending constitutional and civil rights before the highest court of the land. ICAP's dedication to preserving favorable civil rights and criminal justice decisions and their involvement in high profile cases before the Supreme Court demonstrate their expertise and leadership in the field.
Orignal story posted at https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/our-work/defending-constitutional-rights-in-the-u-s-supreme-court/
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