Liberty moot court team succeeds
The university’s School of Law traveled to Chicago to compete in national finals, emerged with 4-1 record
The Liberty University School of Law moot court team recently returned from competing in the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition national finals in Chicago, Ill.
Winners — From left to right, Jeremy White, Mark Hicks and Phillip Marbury won the D.C. Regional. Photo provided
Liberty qualified for the national finals by winning its regional bracket at the Washington, D.C. regional in March. The team of Mark Hicks, Jeremy White and Phillip Marbury finished the D.C. regional with a record of four wins and one loss en route to its regional championship.
The team posted wins over Regent University, the University of Richmond, George Mason University and the University of Arkansas. Liberty’s only loss came in an early preliminary round to Washington & Lee University.
While in Chicago, Liberty won its first preliminary round against Lousianna State University before losing to returning powerhouse Texas Tech to finish the preliminary rounds with a 1-1 record. Based on its win/loss record and narrow margin of loss, Liberty advanced into the national octa-finals as one of the top 16 teams in the nation. However, the team lost to top-ranked California Hastings on a split judges’ ballot.
This marks four consecutive years that Liberty has qualified for the national finals and the third time that it has advanced to the 16th round before being eliminated.
Director at the Center for Lawyering Skills Scott Thompson coached and accompanied the team to Chicago.
“Our team performed at an extremely high level. Mark and Jeremy argued on par with every team that they competed against, both at regionals and nationals,” Thompson said.
“Our loss in the elimination rounds at nationals was one of the best rounds that I have ever watched. We knew that it would be very close and it was.”
Thompson mentioned how the team did not lose sight of the Lord at all throughout the competition.
“Throughout the week, we prayed that each of us would glorify God through our arguments, attitude and demeanor. They did exactly that,” Thompson said.
Liberty is recognized as a school that competes at the national level and is well-respected by its colleagues in the moot court arena.
Hicks, White and Marbury have been preparing for the ABA competition since mid-December. Their hard work landed them in the sweet sixteen once again.
Thompson conveyed his delight with the team for their hard work.
“I could not be more pleased or satisfied with all that they have done and with what they accomplished,” Thompson said.