On November 15 and 16, the Vanderbilt National Moot Court Team won the Region 7 National Moot Court Competition at the University of Mississippi, earning a trip to the Nationals. The victory is Vanderbilt’s first in regional competition since 1999.
“In each round, the team demonstrated incredible advocacy skills, poise, and preparation,” said Amy Enix, team Coach and Lecturer in Law. “All of the judges, including Chief Judge Deborah Brown (of the Northern District of Mississippi), commented on how well-prepared and persuasive the advocates were.”
The team consists of competing members Amaris Aloise, Dallas Kastens, and Grace Hayes (all 3L students), supported by 2L students Nicholas Wallenburg and Karli Tellis. Mark Pickerell, Adjunct Professor of Law, coaches with Enix.
The team earned the Best Brief award, while Hayes earned recognition as Best Oralist in the Final Round.
“While it was incredibly exciting to win the tournament, the most rewarding part of the experience was getting to compete alongside my amazing teammates,” said Hayes. “Working with such talented and wonderful people was truly the highlight of my weekend.”
The team will travel to New York for the Nationals competition, which takes place January 29-31.
The National Moot Court Competition is co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the New York City Bar Association. In addition to sharing the financial costs, many Fellows of the College assist as judges in the 15 regional competitions and at the finals held in New York each year. More than 180 accredited law schools participate in this program involving more than 1,000 students.
