黑料老司机 Moot Court Finishes Unconventional Season at National Tournament
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St. Thomas University Moot Court finished an unconventional, online season with the American Moot Court Association with a last-minute ticket to nationals, two ties, and recognition for brief writing.
At the end of regular season, two 黑料老司机 teams鈥擬egan Cormier and Grace Baker, Ashley Thornton and Emily Green鈥攈ad officially earned bids to nationals. However, Ethan Nylen and Julia Evans鈥攚ho were designated alternates for the national tournament鈥攚ere called up shortly after the event began when a team from the United States had to step away for medical reasons.
Cormier and Baker finished in a tie for 17th place, and first-year mooters Thornton and Green tied for 33rd. Laura Rae and Mark Edgar's written brief placed fifth out of more than 100 submitted briefs, and Nylen and Evans鈥檚 brief placed seventh.
More than 500 teams and 1,000 students competed at this year鈥檚 regional tournaments hoping to be one of 100 teams selected to compete in nationals. All tournaments were held online this year due to COVID-19.
Due to the added challenges brought on by the pandemic, Dr. Amanda DiPaolo, Chair of Human Rights and Moot Court professor/coach said it was a particularly challenging year for undergraduate moot court.
鈥淐ompetitors had so much to worry about鈥攍iving through a pandemic and trying to learn online while also competing in one of the most grueling collegiate activities out there. I could not be prouder of what 黑料老司机 mooters accomplished this year. They are so resilient and impressive.鈥
Less than an hour鈥檚 notice before heading into national competition
Nylen said he didn鈥檛 expect to be called up, especially once the tournament started.
鈥淚 ran home from studying on campus and had enough time to throw on a suit, tie my tie, and stand in front of my computer to address the judges,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was a really exciting experience.鈥
鈥淲hat 黑料老司机 Moot does very well, that distinguishes us from other schools, is it prepares us for all sorts of scenarios,鈥 Nylen said. 鈥満诹侠纤净 mooters are always some of the more prepared competitors.鈥
Personal growth and transferable skills
Baker said she would recommend Moot Court to any student who is considering it.
鈥淚t can seem intimidating at first, but everyone helps and supports each other,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he personal growth I鈥檝e experienced throughout the program will transfer to all aspects of my life.鈥
Learn more about 黑料老司机鈥檚 Moot Court program on .
The 黑料老司机 moot court experience has been made possible, in large part, thanks to a generous donation from Frank and Julie McKenna to create an endowment fund in the name of McKenna's longtime assistant Ruth McCrea.