The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held oral arguments at DePaul Law on October 5, 2026, giving students the opportunity to observe federal appellate proceedings and speak with judges about legal careers and the judicial process.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit brought one of the nation’s highest courts to DePaul Law on October 5, 2026, where judges heard official oral arguments in the Leonard M. Ring Courtroom before meeting with students for a question-and-answer session.

DePaul was one of six Chicago-area law schools selected to host the Federal Circuit during its October session. The three-judge panels heard appeals from the court’s nationwide docket involving issues such as patents, veterans’ benefits, international trade, federal employment and government contracts.

Following the oral arguments, DePaul Law students had the opportunity to ask judges about appellate advocacy, the judicial process and careers in the legal profession. The visit was part of the Federal Circuit’s educational outreach efforts, which bring the Washington, DC-based court to communities across the country to give students and the public a firsthand look at the federal judiciary in action.

Sebastian Dziubek, a second-year law student and president of Intellectual Property Law Society at DePaul, said he found witnessing the court session and hearing from the judges rewarding.

“Many students have never seen real arguments in person and having that opportunity at school was very exciting,” Dziubek said.

Faculty members said hosting the Federal Circuit on campus offered students a rare chance to see appellate advocacy and judicial decision-making in real-world settings.

“Seeing what they learn in the classroom in practice prepares students for future careers early on by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application,” said Ellen Gutiontov, executive director of the Center for Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology.