Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wed, 28 Mar 2012
After a week of intense competition among the 1L class, Liberty University School of Law held the final round of the Eighth Annual George and Helen Hermestroff 1L Moot Court Tournament on Saturday, March 24, 2012, before a panel of eight state and federal court judges. Michael Minerva was announced Tournament Champion while Lucy Brado was declared Runner-Up in the second place position. Julia Amato and Karissa Thomas won third and fourth place respectively.
The Honorable Jennifer Walker Elrod, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, acted as the Chief Judge for the tournament. Judge Elrod said, “Liberty Law students have what it takes. They are well prepared to appear in the courtroom today. Liberty [Law] students continue the tradition of excellence.”
All the judges commented on the performance of each student as well as the quality of the competitor. “Liberty [Law] students are outstanding,” added Judge Glenn Acree, Kentucky Court of Appeals.
The internal 1L Moot Court Tournament offers immeasurable experience to each participating competitor of the first-year class as they hone their writing and oral advocacy skills.
The bench for the final round consisted of a highly accomplished judiciary including: the Honorable Jennifer Walker Elrod, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; the Honorable Keith Watkins, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; the Honorable Glenn Acree, Kentucky Court of Appeals; the Honorable Shea Nickell, Kentucky Court of Appeals; the Honorable Bill Petty, Virginia Court of Appeals; the Honorable Stephen McCullough, Virginia Court of Appeals; the Honorable Mosby Perrow, Lynchburg Circuit Court; and the Honorable Pat Yeatts, Lynchburg Circuit Court.
“It was a very exciting tournament throughout the week as all of the students performed extremely well. The depth of talent at Liberty is exceptional,” said Mathew Staver, Dean of Liberty University School of Law. “The winners of this year’s tournament are to be congratulated and I look forward to their future success. When our students succeed, the law school succeeds. Professor Scott Thompson is to be congratulated for his tireless dedication to the Moot Court program,” concluded Staver.