Constitutional Rights and Remedies

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The Constitutional Rights and Remedies Program allows you to focus on the nature, scope, viability, and limits of litigating federal constitutional rights through traditional classes, simulation courses, conferences, public lectures, and pro bono litigation. You will develop a sophisticated understanding of the interaction between state and federal courts, are able to determine the available and appropriate vehicles for constitutional litigation, develop an increased understanding of the content of our constitutional protections, and may increase their likelihood of obtaining a federal clerkship and a career in constitutional litigation. Follow us online: @DUsturmCRRP.

Interested in events, courses and experiential learning opportunities in Constitutional Rights and Remedies?

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Learning to litigate federal constitutional rights—in and out of the classroom

  • What are Constitutional rights and remedies?

    Disputes over the scope and substance of federal constitutional rights have been central to racial justice, education, housing, voting, employment, reproductive rights, land use, law enforcement and criminal justice, and numerous other areas of profound social importance. The important rights developed in each of these areas, however, are not always enforceable. The law of constitutional remedies includes numerous procedural hurdles that significantly limit the opportunities for injured parties to receive a full hearing of their constitutional claims, much less a favorable one. An understanding of the procedures that govern the litigation of federal constitutional rights has thus become essential to the process of constitutional enforcement.

  • Integrated learning

    The Constitutional rights and remedies program at the Sturm College of Law is an academic program that allows students to focus on the nature, scope, viability, and limits of litigating federal constitutional rights through traditional classes, simulation courses, conferences, public lectures, and pro bono litigation. Our proximity to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, as well as the regional offices of multiple federal agencies, is another draw for our Constitutional rights and remedies students. The program offers a full array of doctrinal courses as well as experiential learning opportunities in the Civil Rights Clinic, the Criminal Defense Clinic, and Externships, taught by full-time faculty and by adjunct professors drawn from the community of local practitioners. 

  • World-class faculty

    The program is staffed by our full-time faculty, but draws on a rich background of resources offered by both a local and national advisory board. Our experienced faculty actively research, publish, lecture, litigate and work on other activities involving constitutional rights and remedies. In addition, many of our professors spent their pre-teaching careers clerking for federal judges and engaging in litigation of constitutional rights claims.

Past CRRP Events

  • 2024 Events
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    On February 27, 2024, the Constitutional Rights and Remedies program hosted “Observations from the 9/11 Proceedings at Guantánamo Bay: A Conversation with Professor Sam Kamin.” Professor Kamin reflected on his experience as an observer for the American Bar Association at the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

     

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    On March 5, 2024, a publication celebration was held for Professors Alan Chen and Justin Marceau's new book, "Truth and Transparency: Undercover Investigations in the Twenty-First Century," also featuring commentators Fred Freiberg of the Fair Housing Justice Center and Helen Norton of the University of Colorado School of Law. This event was co-sponsored by the Animal Law Program, the Constitutional Rights & Remedies Program, and the Office of the Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship.

  • 2023 Events

    March 28, 2023: Constitutional Law Conversations, cosponsored with the Denver Law ACLU chapter, featuring Professors Laura Rovner, Alan Chen, Marty Katz, Laurent Sacharoff, Viva Moffat, Justin Marceau and Nancy Leong. Each gave a 5 minute overview of their CRR certificate class.
     

    CRRP faculty presenting to students

    September 26, 2023: The CRRP held a 2023-2024 Supreme Court Preview featuring faculty speakers including professors Nancy Leong, Ian Farrell, Sam Kamin, Marty Katz and Laurent Sacharoff. The preview covered cases related to constitutional rights and remedies that the court will be hearing this term. 

  • 2022 Events
    • March 4, 2022: Panel Discussion: Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court, featuring Professors Rebecca Aviel, Alan Chen and Ian Farrell. Moderated by Professor Nancy Leong
    • April 5, 2022: Certificate Program Advising Session
    • August 31, 2022: How to Publish Your Seminar Paper, featuring Professors Marty Katz and Nancy Leong
    • November 10, 2022: A Discussion with Professor Paul Gowder about his book, "The Rule of Law in the United States: An Unfinished Project of Black Liberation." Moderated by Professor Rebecca Aviel. Co-Sponsored by the Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and the Denver Law Review.
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Certificate Requirements

Constitutional Rights & Remedies Program

To declare your intent to complete the CRRP certificate, please contact the Registrar to complete and submit the petition form no later than the end of the add/drop period for the semester preceding that of your intended graduation.

View Requirements

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JD Certificate Program Goals

The Constitutional rights & remedies JD certificate program, helps you

  • Possess a thorough understanding of the substantive law defining constitutional rights
  • Understand and appreciate the importance of procedures governing their enforcement
  • Develop the lawyering skills necessary to effectively litigate these rights
  • Gain knowledge and appreciation of professional values and ethics that apply to litigation in this area of the law
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CRRP Faculty Publications

View selected journal articles, books and other scholarship from our expert faculty members.

Program Director

 
Nancy Leong

Nancy Leong

Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship & Provost Professor

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Constitutional Rights and Remedies Faculty

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