Congratulations, Moot Court Board Teams!
It has been an extremely busy weekend for Stetson’s Moot Court Board, with four teams competing virtually, and one team competing in-person.
After months and months of preparation—first, writing a brief (or two memorials, in the case of the Jessup team) and practicing oral arguments for two, or three (for the NELMCC team), parties, the teams performed extraordinarily well. Our teams continue to show why Stetson is an advocacy powerhouse—a consistent presence as a top competitor.
The results are in for four of the teams:
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, U.S. National Rounds: First time ever, that all U.S. teams competed in one regional. Usually, there are 6 regionals held across the nation; this year, 87 U.S. competed in one regional. Our Stetson team of Lilly Torres, Tabitha Blackwell, Rebecca Doloski, Remee Farah, and Sara Spears battled it out through the preliminary rounds, with an impressive record of 3-1, to advance to the top 32 teams in the competition. Knowing that the top 16 teams are invited to Worlds—the White & Case International Rounds—to be held in late March/early April. And yes, our Stetson team is headed to Worlds for only the fourth time (2012, 2013, and 2015). The team is coached by Jessup alums Caitlein Jammo, Esq. and Diana Evans, Esq. Good luck at Worlds!
ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC), “Brooklyn” Regional: NAAC is one of the most prestigious national moot court competitions, with over 180 teams competing in six regionals over a three-week period. Stetson had two teams participating—Jessica Merker, Tyler Brown, and Hannah Klonowski, and Anya Pardy and Travis Grover—coached by Evan Dix, Esq. and Jeremy Bailie, Esq. Through three days of competition, the team of Jessica, Tyler, and Hannah advanced to the final round, before losing a close round to be co-finalists. Jessica was awarded the Fourth Best Oralist award.
The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Moot Court Competition (NELMCC): NELMCC is a large competition with 52 teams participating and unlike other moot court competitions, there are three teams participating in each round. Our Stetson team of Lauren Beames, Mia Hartley, and Emily Witthoeft were impressive, winning best oralists in the courtroom awards in all three preliminary rounds—Rounds 1 and 2, Emily, and Round 3, Mia. The team advanced into the final round to face off against Duke and Lewis and Clark, and to be co-finalists. This is only the third time that a Stetson team has advanced to the final round; the second time since 2017. The team is coached by Professor Gardner.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Jessup, ABA NAAC, and NELMCC teams! And a special thanks to the coaches and the professors and alums who judged practice rounds and helped the teams prepare.
Professor Bowman