MOOT COURT COMPETITIONS – S.J. Quinney College of Law

Oct. 15-18, 2020 All Star Bracket Challenge Trial Advocacy Competition

This was the first year the College of Law competed in this bracket-style competition, which involved teams from 34 different states and territories. Our team did not advance to the semi-final round of the competition, but Ralph Mercer received an advocate award for his performance. The students did very well in an unfamiliar (online) environment, and it was good preparation for the National Trial Competition in February.

Nov. 13-14 ABA Law Student Division Negotiation Competition

Our school made a strong showing, with each partnership winning at least one of their two negotiations and Pam Schools and Rob D’Andrea coming in sixth place overall—just two points short of advancing to the final four. This year’s competition was held in sunny San Diego, but we competed from the comfort of our own homes, Zooming in to virtual negotiations. Although the pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, it created an opportunity for these students to be flexible and adapt to a new environment. They did so with poise, grace, and the highest level of professionalism.

Nov. 21-22 The Annual National Moot Court Competition

Both teams did an amazing job and BOTH placed among the top 4 teams advancing to the semi-final round of the competition. Our two teams were – Team 2 (Alex Allred, Brady Nash, and Cate Vaden) and Team 3 (Dan Biddulph, Mikayla Irvin, and Jacob Roberts). Unfortunately, because of where they were seeded, they ended up having to compete against each other.

Team 2 advanced to the finals, where they defeated a strong team from the University of Washington that had the best brief score in the competition. Alex Allred also received the best oralist award for the competition. Team 2 won the regional competition and moved on to the National competition “in” New York City in February.

Feb. 17-19: Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (aka Pace Moot Court Competition)

Trevor, Andrew, and Rob did very well in each of their arguments—they were polished, conversational, and did a wonderful job answering questions. Trevor was named best oralist for the team’s first preliminary round in the competition. The team advanced to quarterfinals and had one of their best presentations yet but unfortunately did not make it to the semifinal round. Trevor, Andrew, and Rob did SJQ proud!

February 26: UCLA Transactional Law Competition

For ten weeks leading up to the competition, the team worked with a fictitious client to draft a merger agreement and prepare a responsive mark-up to an agreement proposed by opposing counsel (another law school team). The team received high marks on their drafting, with judge’s comments including “Team 25's draft was excellent.” On competition day, the team met face to face (via Zoom) with teams from two other law schools to negotiate the transaction, and were applauded by the judges for their professionalism and understanding of the issues at play. In fact, three out of five judges said our team was the best they saw in the competition.

March 10-13: National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition

Natalie and Stephanie took first place! This is the first time that SJQ has won this particular competition, which drew approximately forty teams from top environmental programs throughout the country. In the four preliminary rounds, three elimination rounds, and the final oral argument (which was made to four federal judges and broadcast live on YouTube), Natalie and Stephanie represented our school with tremendous skill and professionalism.

S.J. Quinney College of Law

2020-2021 Moot Court Competitions

Oct. 15-18, 2020 All Star Bracket Challenge Trial Advocacy Competition

Nov. 13-14 ABA Law Student Division Negotiation Competition

Nov. 21-22 The Annual National Moot Court Competition

Feb. 1-4: National Moot Court Competition

National Trial Competition (Regional Competition)

Feb. 17-19: Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (aka Pace Moot Court Competition)

February 26: UCLA Transactional Law Competition

March 6: National Patent Application Drafting Competition

March 10-13: National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition

March 19-21: Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial IP Moot Court competition

February 26-28, March 8-30: Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition

Traynor Moot Court Competition Preliminary and Semi-final Rounds

April 6: Traynor Moot Court Competition Final Round