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Moot Court success continues for UDM teams
Summer 2006

UDM’s Moot Court teams improved on last year’s success record, finishing as national runners-up in the 18th Annual National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, as well as regional runners-up in the Jessup International Law Competition.

Recognized as the most prestigious environmental law moot court competition in the U.S., the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition hosted by Pace Law School in White Plains, New York, drew more than 200 competitors from over 70 of the law schools in the country.

The UDM Law team of Sam McCrimmon, Andrew Strahan, and Bhavna Bhandari competed against—and beat—schools at the top of the environmental law rankings such as the University of Oregon and the University of Vermont, the other Michigan schools at the competition, including the University of Michigan, as well as big-name schools like Columbia University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Virginia.

“This is a significant competition for us in that we went up against schools that are  nationally acclaimed for environmental law,” says Professor Michelle Streicher, chairperson of the Faculty Moot Court Committee. “Our students were prepared to the fullest extent, and they were extraordinarily innovative, giving them the advantage of flexibility.”

The Jessup International Moot Court Competition is the premier international  competition. UDM School of Law students recently competed in the Regional Rounds, finishing Runner-Up Best Team and receiving a fourth place award for their brief. The Jessup team was comprised of Samia Alam, Sonal Kulkarni, Cayley Rodd, and Jayson Thomas. Bob Entwisle was the Brief Writer for the team.

Streicher credits the success of UDM Law’s moot court teams to the School’s moot court program, which was completely revamped in 2004. “In two years, we have won multiple awards in six of the eight competitions we have entered, and in this year, have advanced to the final rounds in three out of four,” says Streicher. “Some schools might win an award in overall team performance, individual performance or outstanding brief writing, but since the implementation of our new program, our teams consistently win awards in multiple categories.”

Part of the revised program is an innovative course that provides practical experience, confidence-building activities, and public speaking drills. A unique aspect of the class involves the local chapter of the renowned Second City improv group visiting the class to provide tips on being in control of the courtroom, body language, inflection, and skills of persuasion. Students are also on their feet every week arguing before their peers, who then critique them. The program is an intensive course on learning to think, sound and act like a practicing lawyer. Most schools provide moot court training at a less intensive level—and it’s on an extracurricular basis.

UDM scored success in all the competitions entered this year, including the William C. Spong Constitutional Law Competition, the National Evidence Moot Court Competition, the Child Welfare & Adoption Competition, the McGee Civil Rights Competition, and the State of Michigan Competition.

The Moot Court Board is planning an ambitious program for the upcoming year, with students competing in at least seven competitions. The program recently enjoyed a record turnout for student tryouts, with more than 95 students competing for approximately 20 open slots on a team and on the Board of Advocates.