McGeorge School of Law's moot court program ranked No. 10 in the nation

Feb 05, 2024
A group of people pose on a staircase to a building

The members of McGeorge School of Law's 2023-24 moot court team excelled in competitions during the fall semester.

 

The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law’s moot court program was ranked 10th in the nation for its success during the fall 2023 semester, according to rankings published by the University of Houston Law Center. McGeorge finished second among the 18 ABA-approved law schools in California, for the second consecutive ranking. 

“Our students excelled this year, and their well-deserved recognition underscores strengths of the program and caliber of the legal education McGeorge students receive. The national moot court ranking affirms the quality of our program year-after-year,” said Professor Ed Telfeyan, co-director of the Eglet Center for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution. 

McGeorge’s moot court program rose four spots rose in the rankings, after being recognized as the No. 14 moot court program during the 2022-23 competition season.

“McGeorge School of Law's continued success in moot court competitions and rankings reflects our commitment to providing students with opportunities to pursue their passion for the law while equipping them with the skills they need to become effective advocates,” said Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz. “The student-centered, practice-focused legal education at McGeorge ensures our students are well-prepared for the practical challenges they will encounter in the legal profession.”

Five people wearing suits pose for a photo outdoors

(From left to right) Sara Helms, Tara Swanson, Joshua Jendian, Rachel Lucchini, and Adjunct Professor Erich Shiners, ‘06, represented McGeorge School of Law at the Veterans National Moot Court Tournament in 2023.

Veterans National Moot Court Tournament

Two McGeorge School of Law moot court teams advanced to the semi-final round of the Veterans National Moot Court Tournament in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 4-5. The team of third-year law students Joshua Jendian and Tara Swanson received Best Petitioner’s Brief, and Swanson was awarded Second-Best Oralist. The team of third-year law students Alex Leshnick and Dani Diele Fatta received Second-Best Respondent’s Brief.

The teams were coached by third-year law student Sara Helms; Erich Shiners, ‘06; and Josh Bailey, ‘20. Second-year law student Rachel Lucchini was the research assistant for the teams.

Four people wearing suits pose for a photo outdoors

(From left to right) McGeorge School of Law students India Neville, Amanda Stone, Jensen Blaine, and Winnie Ellerman represented McGeorge at the Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in 2023.

Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition

Third-year law student Jensen Blaine and fourth-year law student Amanda Stone were semi-finalists at the 23rd Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Nov. 17-18. The team was coached by Adjunct Professor Erin O’Neal, Robert Mayville, ‘15; and third-year law student Winnie Ellerman. Second-year law student India Neville served as the team’s research assistant.

Additional results from the moot court competition season include:

  • At the recent Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition in Chicago on Nov. 3-4, the McGeorge School of Law team of Morgan Graber, ‘24, and Katherine Van Horn, ‘24, advanced to the semi-final round, finished 3rd, and were awarded the second-best brief of the competition. The teams were coached by third-year law student Francia Orduño, Adjunct Professor Bill Shapiro, and Carly Moran, ‘20. Second-year law student Kaleigh Stover was the team’s research assistant.

  • Third-year law students Ava Sutton and Morgan Gross competed in the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) Moot Court Competition in Chicago on Nov. 16-18, and tied for third place out of 30 teams. The team received Best Respondent Brief. The team was coached by Professor Dan Croxall, ‘08; Maricar Pascual, ‘16; and third-year law student Kyndall Banales. Second-year law student Patrick Fortelka served as the team’s research assistant.

  • Kelsey Thweatt, Allison Formoso, and Fernando Almaraz advanced to the quarterfinal round during the National Moot Court Competition’s regional competition in New York on Nov. 10-11. The team was coached by Professor Jeff Proske; Tim Kamermayer, ‘12; Madison Simmons, ‘13; and third-year law student Alexis Martinez. Second-year law student Nathan Arianeh was the team’s research assistant.

  • Third-year law students Sharon Witkin and Matt Munoz received the third best petitioner’s brief award at the National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition in Malibu on Nov. 10-11. The team was coached by Professor Mike Mireles, ‘98; David Witkin, ‘20; and third-year law student Hannah Nguyen. Third-year law student Sarah Young-Tripp was the team’s research assistant.

To learn more about the Eglet Center for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution or McGeorge’s award-winning Competition Teams, please visit our website.

For more information about McGeorge School of Law, visit our website.

Media Contacts:

McGeorge School of Law