Appalachian School of Law third-year student Travis Honaker recently had the opportunity to put years of appellate advocacy preparation into practice before West Virginia’s highest court.
On September 22, Honaker argued a First Degree Murder appeal before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia under the supervision of Dean Will Thompson.
The appearance was made possible through Appalachian School of Law’s partnership with West Virginia Public Defender Services, which creates opportunities for ASL students to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in the practice of law while still completing their legal education.
For Honaker, the experience represents another step in an advocacy journey he has continued to build throughout his time at ASL.
Honaker won Appalachian School of Law’s 2025 Intraschool Moot Court Competition and has represented ASL in national moot court competition. He currently serves on ASL’s Moot Court Board, where students continue developing skills in oral advocacy, legal research, writing, and appellate argument.
His September appearance before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia allowed him to take those skills beyond simulated appellate proceedings and apply them in an actual case before the state’s highest court.
The experience also highlights the opportunities available to ASL students through the school’s partnership with West Virginia Public Defender Services. Through the partnership, students can gain practical experience working within the criminal justice system while receiving supervision and guidance from experienced attorneys and faculty.
WOWK 13 News recently featured Honaker and his experience before the Court, including his perspective on preparing for and presenting an appellate argument while still a law student.
The full WOWK 13 News story can be viewed here:
https://www.wowktv.com/news/on-the-record-law-student-argues-before-west-virginias-highest-court/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WOWK_13_NEWS
