Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tue, 12 Oct 2010
After nearly a week of intense competition rounds, third-year law student (3L) Tim Todd was declared champion at the conclusion of the Liberty University School of Law 2L/3L Moot Court Tournament held from October 4 through October 7, with the final round on October 9. The tournament, hosted by the law school’s Moot Court Board, was held in the law school’s Supreme Courtroom.
Twenty-two students within the second and third year classes voluntarily competed in the sixth annual tournament. Each student completed a brief, representing either the fictitious Alexander Schroeder or the United States of America. Todd was awarded Best Brief, and Todd Shockley, second-year law student (2L), was named runner-up.
The Honorable James Turk, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, was one of nine distinguished judges who shared the bench for this year’s tournament. “I’ve been judging for nearly 38 years and I’ve been to many schools and heard many arguments. I can truthfully say that I can remember no case that was argued better than this case at Liberty,” he said. “Both competitors are ready to go out in the world and win.”
Commenting on the impressive knowledge of the case and performances of Todd and Shockley, the Honorable J. Michael Gamble, Circuit Court for Amherst County, stated, “I was amazed at their excellent grasp of the facts. The truth is, understanding the law is necessary, but understanding and presenting the facts properly is essential to win. I don’t think there is any law student from any law school that could have done a better job than what I witnessed here at Liberty.”
The bench for the final round consisted of a highly accomplished judiciary including the Honorable Duane Benton, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit; the Honorable Tom Parker, Supreme Court of Alabama; the Honorable Joseph Lambert, Supreme Court of Kentucky; the Honorable James Turk, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia; the Honorable Charles H. Henry, North Carolina Superior Court for Onslow County; the Honorable J. Michael Gamble, Circuit Court for Amherst County; the Honorable John Cook, Circuit Court for Campbell County; the Honorable F. Pat Yeatts, Campbell County General District Court; and the Honorable Ellen White, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for Campbell County.
“This was the tightest competition, in terms of the narrow gap of those that advanced, and clearly we had two excellent competitors and I congratulate them both,” added Professor Scott Thompson, Director of the Center of Lawyering Skills of Liberty University School of Law.
“I am very pleased with the depth of talent within our student body. Our students exemplify a high level of commitment and excellence,” concluded Mathew Staver, Dean of Liberty University School of Law.