MSU Law Moot Court Team Advances to National Finals

The Michigan State University College of Law appellate moot court team consisting of third-year students Glynis Talley (team captain), Vani Gujuluva, and Corinne Miller qualified for the finals of the National Moot Court Competition (NMCC) after successfully competing in the Regional Competition at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law on November 9-10, 2013. The team was assisted by Professor Jennifer Copland (advisor/coach) and third-year student Andy Ninh (of counsel).

Since 1950, the NMCC has emerged as a prestigious competition sponsored by the New York City Bar and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Every year, over 150 law schools compete in the regional rounds throughout the United States. The winners from each region advance to the final rounds held at the New York City Bar in February, 2014. The Michigan State Law team, which had a 2-0 preliminary round record and the top brief score at the competition, was one of just two teams to advance out of the regional competition, and will be one of just 26 teams to compete in the National Finals.

“It’s no surprise that we’re in the top 26,” remarked Professor Copland. “Michigan State Law is consistently finishing in the top ranked teams, and our Moot Court & Advocacy Board is nationally recognized.” Indeed, the MSU Law team of Amerique Philyaw and Heidi Williams were semi-finalists at the Burton D. Wechsler First Amendment competition in Washington D.C. in October, losing to Faulkner University in a very close round before three federal judges. The MSU Law team of Alexandra Lange and Melissa Morales placed in the top four teams in preliminary rounds and the top eight teams overall at the San Diego National Criminal Procedure competition on November 7-10, 2013.

“Our students have a very ambitious schedule this year, and hope to continue their winning tradition,” said Professor Copland. MSU Law's spring travel schedule includes the Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship in January, 2014, which is an invitation-only competition among the top 16 ranked schools in the United States. MSU Law will also be competing in the ABA Appellate Advocacy competition, the McGee Civil Rights competition, Vanderbilt’s First Amendment competition, the Prince Evidence competition, and the Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition (constitutional law).

(Photo, Left to Right: Glynis Talley, Andy Ninh, Corinne Miller, Vani Gujuluva, Professor Jennifer Copland)

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