Friday, April 24, 2009
Fri, 03 Mar 2006
Students from Liberty University School of Law represented the school’s newly ABA-approved program well in two recent moot court tournaments. The tournaments were held at Regent University School of Law and William and Mary School of Law in February. This is the first year that Liberty law students have competed in intercollegiate tournaments, and their performances exceeded the high expectations of Professor Scott Thompson, Director of the Center for Lawyering Skills. “I could not be happier with the performance of these students. Each displayed a level of skill that could not have been anticipated.”
Moot court tournaments are sponsored by law schools across the country and allow for teams of law students to compete in fictitious court proceedings. Prior to competition, team members must file briefs outlining the major points of a case. At competition, participants may represent the plaintiff or defendant. Local attorneys and judges serve as judges for the events. The participant with the highest total score advances to the next round.
At the Regent National Constitutional Law Moot Court Tournament, both Liberty teams advanced to the Quarter Finals. The team consisting of Ed Cooley, Brad Miller, and James Stringfield received an award for the fifth highest best-brief score. Of the 40 speakers at the tournament, Brad Miller was recognized as the fourth best speaker, and Jeff Johnson was recognized as the second best speaker.
At the College of William and Mary School of Law tournament, Liberty students argued against some of the top moot court teams in the nation. South Texas College of Law, one of the premier moot court schools in the 2005 ABA National Tournament, earned its 92nd national advocacy title by winning the tournament. Although the Liberty teams did not advance, Thompson concluded, “Our teams argued as well as anyone could have argued, and I am very proud of how each represented the program.”
Professor Thompson is planning for students to compete in five to six intercollegiate tournaments next year. “This experience serves as a springboard to build for future moot court tournaments, and the teams are looking forward to next year’s competitions.”
Liberty University School of Law will hold The Second Annual 1L Moot Court Tournament in late March.