MSU Law Moot Court Team Lands Top Brief, Oralist Awards at National Competition

Shawn Brew, Professor Copland, and Jake Putala

The MSU Law Moot Court Team of 3Ls Shawn Brew and Jake Putala, coached by Professor Jennifer Copland, recently competed at the 28-team Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Moot Court Competition in Buffalo, New York, where they netted several prominent awards. The team earned the Best Brief Award, and Brew took home the Best Oral Advocate Award. The team also finished as Oral Argument Semifinalists.

The Wechsler Competition is the only national moot court competition dedicated to substantive criminal law issues. Representing the United States, Brew and Putala briefed two issues pertaining to obstruction under 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c). The team then argued both sides of these issues across four rounds, narrowly losing in the semifinals.

This competition also marks the last of several in which Brew and Putala have teamed up. Before Wechsler, the duo won the internal 2022 Moot Court Class Competition; finished as finalists at the Zehmer National Moot Court Competition in Orlando, Florida; and made it to the final round of the “best of the best” Kurth National Moot Court Competition with fellow 3L Katrin Kelley. They also lead the MSU Board of Advocates, with Putala as President and Brew as Vice President.

“Representing MSU Law on the national scene has been nothing short of an honor,” Putala said. “I could not have chosen a better team and coach to work with over the past couple of years, and I’m proud of the progress that we made.”

Brew echoed Putala’s sentiments, adding, “I lucked out—I had the best teammates and coaches to learn from over the past two years, and I am proud of our performance and progress.”

Putala also encouraged future and current MSU Law students to apply for Moot Court and other competition teams. “Do Moot Court, Mock Trial, or ADR competitions, especially if you want to litigate,” Putala recommended. “Moot Court has taught my peers and me so much on how to research, write, speak, and frame arguments, and we will carry these practical lessons with us throughout our careers.”

Learn more about the nationally recognized MSU Law Moot Court program and the Board of Advocates by following the group on LinkedIn.