New Law Students Observe Their Classmates Argue in Court

Aug. 15, 2024

Olivia Tucker, ’25, listens to opposing counsel’s argument during a Moot Court demonstration for new students.
Reem Albudoor, ‘25, listens to opposing counsel’s argument during a Moot Court demonstration for new students.

Moot Court offers one of the most impactful experiential learning experiences in law school.

On the third day of Foundations Week of Michigan State University College of Law, incoming students observed third year law students argue both sides of a complex workers’ compensation case.

The hypothetical case took nearly 90 hours to prepare as part of an upper level class, said Professor Jennifer Copland, Director of the Appellate Moot Court Program. It also gives the students an opportunity to practice their oral arguments before traveling to a competition this weekend.

MSU Law’s Moot Court Program is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. New students observing the demonstration said they can see why.

Darious Byrd, ’27, said he appreciated the detail and preparation that went into researching and arguing this case.

“The students are so knowledgeable and confident,” Byrd said. “I look forward to getting to that level.”

“Moot Court drives home the fact that law school is a lot like the profession,” Levi Rinck, ’27. “It’s an extension of our future careers.”

This week’s demonstration is the first time the program was presented to incoming students during Foundations Week.

The students who participated in the demonstration are Reem Albudoor; ’25, Nicholas Langenberg, ’25; and Olivia Tucker, ’25. Anna Marie Maxwell, ’25; and Joe Greene, ’25, served as judges.

Nicholas Langenberg arguing in a courtroom.
Nicholas Langenberg, ’25, presents oral arguments during a Moot Court demonstration for incoming students.

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