News Archive

A client of the IU McKinney Appellate Clinic will get a new trial, thanks to the work of Professor Joel Schumm, '98, and third-year law student James Strickland.

The case is Chris D. Hawkins v. State of Indiana, 47A04-1709-CR-2185. The memorandum decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals is dated April 18.

"James did outstanding work in this case, which involved a five-day jury trial and several significant legal issues," said Professor Joel Schumm, who directs the Appellate Clinic.

Strickland taught humanities at the high school level before coming to law school. He was involved with Hawkins since the outset of the appeal. The five-day jury trial had concluded in August, and the Appellate Clinic took the case in September. Professor Schumm and Strickland worked side-by-side throughout the process.

"Throughout this experience, Professor Schumm treated me as a respected and trusted colleague, allowing me to draft and research independently as we worked through the four complex issues in the case," Strickland said. "And I am incredibly lucky and proud to have worked collaboratively with Professor Schumm -- trading redlines back and forth with one of Indiana's most-respected appellate lawyers would be a highlight of any law student's academic career. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity."

Prior to participating in the Appellate Clinic during the 2017-18 academic year, Strickland served as a judicial extern during Summer 2016 for both Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush and Justice Mark S. Massa, '89, of the Indiana Supreme Court. Strickland will serve as a law clerk for Justice Massa after graduation.