BYU Law Students Had a Strong Showing in National Moot Court and Trial Advocacy CompetitionsStudents from the J. Reuben Clark Law School won three national competitions in the Moot Court and Trial Advocacy programs this year, placing BYU Law School fourth in the nation on Brian Koppen’s Law School Advocacy rankings. Josh Chandler, trial advocacy president and moot court participant, said these programs give students the chance to develop skills they would not be able to in a classroom setting. "They give you the opportunity to think things through at a very deep level," Chandler said. Each competition forced competitors to explore a variety of current issues. In one competition, contestants delved into the realm of civil rights and examined whether or not segregation is still happening in our country. Another competition required contestants to scrutinize the rights of free speech for public officials. One team debated religious freedom specifically in regards to the rights churches have in their hiring and firing practices. Jeremy Johnston and Spencer Brown took first place in the Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition. Brown said this experience helped him gain confidence. “We went up against some teams that I felt were very smart and very capable,” Brown said. “The judges were also tough. We were asked such hard questions and were competing against such bright people, and succeeding at that gave me a lot of confidence.” Mark Chopko, chair of Nonprofit & Religious Organizations, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP, was a judge for the final round of the 2009 National Religious Freedom Moot Court competition. “The BYU team acquitted itself very well in the competition and had a strong sense of how to make its case,” Chopko said. “They brought honor to the law school and to themselves.” The process of preparing and competing in these competitions trains students in oral advocacy, courtroom procedures, trial practices and techniques, and trial competition performance. 3L David Stott participated in the Trial Advocacy program since his first year and was a semifinalist in the John C. Costello Criminal Trial Competition this year. “You learn skills that actually help you,” Stott said. “With every round the judges give you more feedback and you improve your skills.” Acquiring and polishing court room skills motivates many members of the moot court and trial advocacy teams. "One of the things you always question as a law student is how well you will be able to do as a lawyer," Johnston said. "This just makes you feel a little more confident that I will be competent as a lawyer because in law school there are a lot of opportunities to feel incompetent." This confidence does not come without a lot of hard work and preparation. Kennard Keeton is a member of the winning team for the John C. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy Competition. He participated in many sessions with Honorable Dee Benson and the Honorable Paul M. Warner, who both serve as judges in the United States District Court. “We spent a lot of time collaborating and critiquing each other’s opening and closing statements,” Keeton said. “We also spent time with a couple of judges who were able to offer inside advice as well.” To prepare for the John C. Costello National Criminal Law Competition, BYU teams met once a week with Judge Benson and Judge Warner. During these meetings they went over their openings, closings, and examinations. They also ran practice trials. Other trial advocacy and moot court teams also used these judges as resources. Trial ad President-elect, Kennard Keeton, said these judges played a big part of their achievements this year. Another secret to BYU Law School’s success in moot court and trial advocacy are the bench teams. Moot court president Kathleen Gurr instituted these bench teams this year. They were formed because not every team member could travel. Traveling team members agree the bench teams were a factor in their success at the competition. Trial ad president Josh Chandler said another factor in their success is BYU Law School Alumnus Jim Parkinson ('76). Chandler said Parkinson has offered a lot of support in the form of time and money to the trial ad teams. ### |
Competition Successes in 2008-2009 "Our moot court and trial ad teams have had a truly exceptional year with three wins and three exceptional finishes (semifinalist or finalist) at national competitions. It takes a lot of practice and preparation to do well and we owe a lot to the faculty that helped us to prepare, especially two federal judges - Judge Dee Benson and Paul Warner. These victories should go a long way towards getting BYU the recognition it deserves." - Elizabeth Thompson, Moot Court Board Communications Chair and member of the Costello Criminal Trial Competition champion team. Trial Ad: Moot Court: Kirstin Norman & Benjamin Smith took first place and had the Best Brief at the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition hosted by Vanderbilt School of Law in Nashville, Tennessee. Adam Heder, Elizabeth Thompson & Amy Nash were finalists at the ABA Regional Moot Court Competition in Miami, Florida. Adam Heder was honored with 6th best oralist. A second BYU team, comprised of Kathleen Cannon, Joshua Chandler & Wesley Smith, placed as semifinalists and were honored with 4th Best Brief. Nathanial Martinez and Naseem Nixon were semifinalists at the George Washington National Security Moot Court Competition in D.C. Nathanial was honored with 2nd Best Oralist at the competition and the team won 3rd Best Brief. Skyler Bell, Alison Hughes & Jeremiah Ritchie were semifinalists at the McGee Civil Rights Competition in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jeremiah Ritchie was honored as the 2nd Best Oralist and the team won the 5th Best Brief. ### |
