Our Work

The Quattrone Wrongful Convictions Appellate Clinic is a new initiative of the Ken Starr Institute for Faith, Law, and Public Service at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, made possible through a generous gift from Frank Quattrone and Denise Foderaro.

The Clinic provides Caruso Law students with hands-on experience in appellate advocacy on behalf of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.

The Clinic has already begun substantive work as follows:

1. California Supreme Court Amicus Brief Filing: On Friday September 12, 2025, in partnership with Loyola’s Project for the Innocent, the Clinic submitted its first amicus brief to the California Supreme Court. The brief argues that when courts set money bail at an amount a defendant cannot afford, it is the functional equivalent of an order denying bail in violation of Article I, Section 12, of the California Constitution. The brief highlights how such bail practices increase the risk of wrongful convictions by pressuring innocent individuals to plead guilty simply to avoid prolonged pretrial incarceration.
2. Ninth Circuit Amicus Brief: The Clinic, in partnership with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, submitted an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in September. The brief challenges the improper application of civil procedure standards to habeas corpus exhaustion issues, emphasizing that such procedural hurdles can prevent courts from reviewing claims of actual innocence.

In partnership with the law firm Dykema—the Clinic’s inaugural legal partner—students work alongside seasoned attorneys on litigation teams dedicated to securing justice for the innocent.

Events & Advocacy

As part of its mission, the Clinic will host an annual conference in recognition of Wrongful Conviction Day. The inaugural event, The Science of Justice: Evidence, Error, and Exonerations, will feature keynote speaker M. Chris Fabricant, Director of Strategic Litigation at the Innocence Project, and will include the presentation of the Courage Award, honoring extraordinary commitment to justice. This event will take place on October 2-3, 2025.  If you are interested in this conference, there is more information on the Ken Starr Institute Conferences website.

Student Experience

The Clinic will welcome its first student cohort in Spring 2026 through a competitive application process. Participants will gain direct experience in:

• Drafting amicus briefs
• Supporting post-conviction appeals
• Partnering with legal organizations on strategic initiatives to secure justice for the wrongfully convicted

The Clinic also offers unique opportunities, including:

• Quattrone Student Clinic Fellow – A current law student who assists with projects year-round.
• Post-Graduate Innocence Fellowship – For recent graduates pursuing a career in innocence advocacy.

“The Quattrone Clinic offers students a rare and rigorous opportunity to engage in appellate advocacy with meaningful, real-world impact,” said Professor Naomi Goodno, clinic director. “By working on behalf of the wrongfully convicted, our students develop both their legal skills and their calling to pursue justice.”

Through this work, students build the skills, insight, and dedication necessary to advocate for justice—and to help prevent future wrongful convictions.

Announcements 

If you are interested in applying for the clinic, please review the application announcement and course description for the Spring 2026 course.