Direct from the Dean

Our law students continue to soar! I am thrilled to announce that for the second time in four years, MSU College of Law’s Moot Court program was ranked No. 1 in the country according to the Blakely Advocacy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center, which compiles the annual rankings! Please join me in congratulating the students in Moot Court on this remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the strength of both our students’ legal advocacy and our experiential learning program.

Additionally, several students received top individual honors at the competitions in which they took part and I’d like to recognize them here:

Top Oralist Awards:

Shawn Brew, 3L, Board of Advocates VP. Buffalo Wechsler Criminal Law Competition (March)
Reem Albudoor, 2L, incoming Board of Advocates VP. ABA National Appellate Advocacy Comp (April)

Best Brief Awards:

Abby Treadwell, 3L; and John-Weston Franke, 3L, American University’s Wechsler First Amendment Competition (Nov.)
Jake Putala, 3L; and Shawn Brew, 3L, Buffalo Wechsler Criminal Law Competition (March)
Emma Haiser, 2L; and Tessa Phillips, 2L, MSU College of Law Gender & Sexuality Competition (March)

Moot court is excellent preparation for the practice of law. It takes untold hours of preparation and considerable courage! Finishing the year in the No. 1 spot raises the reputation of MSU as a school preparing lawyers ready to serve the diverse communities of Michigan and the Nation.

So many alumni, current students, and faculty members worked together to make this achievement real. The 3L Board of Advocates Executive Leadership team did a terrific job encouraging and supporting our students. They developed a mentorship program, held educational seminars, and kept the “buzz” about the program going. Additionally, all students in the moot court program, and many of our faculty members, volunteered time throughout the year to act as judges, provide substantive expertise, and help our students prepare to compete.

Jennifer Copland, Director of Competitions Program and Associate Clinical Professor of Law, stands as the foundation of MSU Law’s success. I am grateful for her knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to our students.

I would also like to recognize all of the students and coaches who contributed to our top ranking this year. In order of competition date, our results include the following:

Zehmer Worker’s Comp. Moot Court Competition (Summer 2023)
National Finalist Team

Jake Putala (oralist/writer)
Shawn Brew (oralist/writer)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

Billings Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition (October 2023)
National Semifinalist Team

Claire Montgomery (oralist)
Julia Moran (oralist)
Sharon Sanders (briefwriter)
Prof. Phil Pucillo (coach)

Wechsler National First Amendment Competition (November 2023)
National Champions, Best Overall Brief

Abby Treadwell (oralist/writer)
John-Weston Franke (oralist/writer)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

Chicago Bar Moot Court Competition (November 2023)
National Semifinalist Team

Alex Armstrong (oralist)
Brendan Ruff (oralist)
Brian Baaki (briefwriter)
Alum Niko Spilson (coach)

Houston Moot Court National Championship (January 2024)
National Finalist

Jake Putala (oralist/writer)
Katrin Kelley (oralist)
Shawn Brew (briefwriter)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

ABA Moot Court Regional Competition (February 2024)
Regional Champions (2 teams)

Alex Armstrong (oralist)
Nichole Gertsen (oralist)
Cassie O'Hagan(briefwriter)
Reem Albudoor (oralist)
Joe Greene (oralist)
Nicholas Langenberg (briefwriter)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

Buffalo's Wechsler Criminal Law Moot Court Competition (March 2024)
National Semifinalist, Best Brief, Best Oralist

Jake Putala (oralist/writer)
Shawn Brew (oralist/writer)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

MSU Gender & Sexuality Moot Court Competition (March 2024)
Best Brief Award

Tessa Phillips (oralist/writer)
Emma Haiser (oralist/writer)
Prof. Nancy Costello (coach)

BA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (April 2024)
National Semifinalist, Top Oralist

Reem Albudoor (oralist)
Joe Greene (oralist)
Nicholas Langenberg (briefwriter)
Prof. Jennifer Copland (coach)

Michael Sant’Ambrogio
Interim Dean
Michigan State University College of Law