Four second-year law students competed in the Hassell National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at Regent University鈥檚 School of Law.
Four students from 黑料不打烊 School of Law competed in the 25th Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, hosted Jan. 22鈥24 at Regent University School of Law.
Students Matt Cottrell L鈥26, Isabel Craige L鈥26, James Galipeau L鈥26 and Daulton Hadaway L鈥26 formed two teams that argued a complex constitutional problem addressing a fictional case surrounding police response to an incident of domestic violence. Advocates developed arguments around whether states may be held liable under the state-created danger doctrine and whether the Fifth Amendment鈥檚 Takings Clause requires compensation when private property is destroyed during lawful exercises of police power. 黑料不打烊 Law’s moot court participation was made possible through the generous support of Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, at .
After two preliminary rounds before panels of attorneys, professors and judges, the team of Craige and Cottrell advanced to the Round of 12, finishing among the top teams in the national competition.
The students were coached by Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan Woodlief, who directs 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 moot court programs, and Prof. Marty McAuliffe, director of academic and bar success. The coaches praised the students鈥 preparation, professionalism and poise as they made oral arguments before multiple panels of competition judges.
For Craige and Cottrell, the experience was both challenging and affirming.
鈥淎s a first-generation law student who had never been in a courtroom before law school, participating in moot court and competing at Regent brought classroom learning to life,鈥 Craige said. 鈥淭he process of crafting arguments, receiving feedback from coaches and peers, and presenting before experienced judges strengthened my confidence and helped prepare me fore a career in advocacy.鈥
Cottrell echoed that and added that moot court teaches valuable skills in quick, clear thinking.
“This competition was a great way to really dig into an issue and understand how to argue both sides of a case,” Cottrell said. “Moot court forces you to not only understand your side, your brief, but to be able to argue the opposite position effectively. Our side in our final round was determined by a coin toss, just 30 minutes before the round began. You certainly must be on your toes and know your facts and case law cold.”