Throughout the spring 2020 semester, the Georgia State University Moot Court team is sending nine teams to eight different competitions all over the east coast. Each competition has a unique problem focusing on a specific area of law. Usually, moot court problems coincide with current events and important legal issues that are forthcoming in the Supreme Court, and this year’s competitions are no different.
The first competition of the semester was the Saul Lefkowitz Regional Competition held in Atlanta on February 8. This competition focused on trademark and unfair competition law. Tyrra Walker, Troy Viger and Kayla Watkins, second year law students, competed in the tournament for GSU’s Moot Court team. They were coached by Michael Foo, who competed in the competition last year. Two teams from each region will advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. in March.
Later this month, we are sending three students to compete in the Duberstein Bankruptcy competition in New York. It is co-hosted by St. John’s University School of Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Our Vice President of Membership, Courtney LeBeau, who participated in the competition last year, is coaching Dillon McConnell, Gabby Wimley, and Vince Lally.
Starting us off in March is the Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Competition which is also held in New York. Nick Daly will be coaching Megan Alexander, our president, and Alex Estroff. Last year Georgia State took home the national title at this competition.
Next, we are sending two teams to the annual Intrastate Competition, held this year at the University of Georgia. Every Georgia law school sends two teams to compete for state bragging rights. This year Luke Hoover and I will be coaching second year law students Shane Duer, Peyton Kelley, Angelena Velaj, Rebecca Hu, Andrew Ship and Mary Katherine Byrne.
The same weekend as the Intrastate Competition we are sending a team to the Cardozo BMI Entertainment and Media Law Moot Court Competition in New York. In the Cardozo Competition Minho Seo will coach Emily Gaston, one of our Vice Presidents of Appellate Advocacy, and InSoo Lee.
Next, for the first time in our organization’s history we are sending a team to the Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C. This competition is sponsored by the Federal Bar Association. Eugene Butler, our other vice president of appellate advocacy, will coach Cambridge Horton and Andrew Boyer.
Finally, the Giles Rich Patent Competition, hosted by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), will conclude our semester. Charles Cullen will coach Jeannine Holmes and Ellen Min. The regional competition is held in Atlanta and if our team advances, they will compete in the final rounds in Washington, D.C.
Thank you for keeping up with Georgia State Moot Court. If you would like to learn more about the organization or volunteer your time, please reach out to our president Megan Alexander ([email protected]) or our faculty advisor, Professor Megan E. Boyd ([email protected]) and see our website by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Megan Kirk
2019-2020 vice president of competitions, Moot Court board