Friday, April 24, 2009
Tue, 10 Oct 2006
Jeff Johnson was named the 2006 Liberty Cup Champion. Johnson, a third-year student at Liberty University School of Law, won awards for Best Brief and Best Oral Argument for the fall moot court competition. Brian Fraser was the runner up.
The competitors in the final round excelled in a challenging competition judged by notable jurists, including Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Alice M. Batchelder. Judge Batchelder was on the short list of potential nominees under consideration for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Other notable jurists on the panel were: The Honorable Eric G. Bruggink of the United States Court of Federal Claims, The Honorable James C. Turk of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, The Honorable D. Arthur Kelsey and The Honorable William G. Petty of the Virginia Court of Appeals. All of the judges had glowing remarks for the final two competitors. Having judged tournaments for more than 20 years, one judge could not remember hearing a better final round. Another judge remarked that Liberty’s two finalists were superior to the top competitors the judge had ranked last year from one of the top-rated law schools in the nation.
Commenting on the experience, Johnson stated: “Moot court allows students to integrate legal analysis, legal writing, and oral advocacy in a thrilling atmosphere. It was a privilege to argue alongside Brian Fraser and all the other participants in this highly competitive tournament. We realized that we were not competing against each other so much as we were competing together for the reputation of our school. Based on the comments of the final round judges, we came out true winners.”
Fraser had similar comments: “It was an honor to have the opportunity to argue before such a distinguished panel of judges. Mr. Johnson and I shared a time of prayer prior to the final round in which we asked God to allow us to represent not only ourselves, but also our school, to the best of our abilities. I think our goal was accomplished. Next stop – ABA Nationals.”
For more information about Liberty University School of Law, please write law@liberty.edu or call 434-592-5300.