UNC School of Law’s Supreme Court Program has received the distinguished Amicus Service Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) for its work on the Groff v. Dejoy case. This award recognizes lawyers who have actively advocated for local governments and IMLA, contributing to the protection and advancement of local government interests.
Established in 2022, the Supreme Court Program offers Carolina Law students hands-on experience in high-level legal advocacy. Under the guidance of professor Andy Hessick and adjunct Richard A. Simpson, students engage in real-world Supreme Court practice, from case selection to brief writing.
In Groff v. Dejoy, the program’s amicus brief, filed on behalf of various municipalities, argued against imposing a higher standard for religious accommodations in the workplace. The brief highlighted the potential burdens such a standard would place on state and local governments, considering their unique budgetary and operational constraints.
The case centered on whether employers must demonstrate more than a de minimis cost or inconvenience to other employees to justify not providing religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The program’s amicus brief emphasized the challenges that a higher standard would pose for state and local governments, given their budgetary constraints and bureaucratic hiring processes.
The Groff v. Dejoy brief is just one example of the program’s extensive work. Each semester, eight students work on approximately 10 briefs, contributing to significant legal debates while developing crucial skills in legal research, writing, and argumentation. They learn to analyze complex legal issues, craft persuasive arguments, and navigate the unique requirements of Supreme Court briefs.
“This program is new-ish, and any recognition of the work that we’ve been doing and the quality of the work that we’ve been doing is really great,” says Hessick. “It’s great for our own morale, and it’s great because others will see it. We are teaching and working with the students and learning, but there is a competitive aspect to it in that we have to also be able to support our efforts.”
The Supreme Court Program remains dedicated to participating in high-profile cases, offering students invaluable experience and shaping important legal discussions on a national scale. The program’s growing influence and recent recognition from IMLA highlight its significance to Carolina Law and the broader legal landscape.
