Moot Court Teams - Best Brief, Oralist Awards, Place in Semi-Final Rounds

Jessup Team L to R:  Michael Freedman, Diana Castiov, Elizabeth Tran, Nolan Shaw

Two Hastings moot court teams brought home awards from the American Bar Association Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) San Francisco Regional rounds on February 25-27, 2010.  The 2L team of Blaise Patzkowski, Victoria Ratnikova, and Brian Pettit won Best Brief in the Region and advanced to the semi-final regional oral advocacy rounds.  This is the fourth best brief award for Hastings moot court teams this year.  Also at the NAAC regionals, Manisha Daryani won Second Best Oral Advocate in the Region, and she, Casey Williams, and Adam Shiells, the Hastings 3L team, also advanced to the semi-final regional oral advocacy rounds.

The ABA NAAC competition is one of the most prestigious moot court competitions in the country, with teams advancing through six U.S. regional competitions.  This year's problem dealt with complex issues of constitutional law and federal preemption as they apply to international arbitration agreements. 

NAAC 2L Team L to R:  Brian Pettit, Victoria Ratnikova, Blaise Patzkowski

The Hastings Moot Court Department extends special thanks to the alumni coaches, Alyson Cabrera, Alexa Woerner, and Mike Cobden for their contributions and experience.  Thanks also to student coaches David Prager, Yumi Nam, and Darren Chan for their time and organization.  Congratulations to the NAAC teams!

Meanwhile, the Hastings team of Diana Castiov, Michael Freedman, Elizabeth Tran, and Nolan Shaw advanced to the semi-final oral argument rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition United States Pacific Super Regional Rounds in Portland, Oregon, held February 25-28, 2010.  The Jessup competition is one of the most competitive moot court events in the world, and draws law students from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries.  The competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations.

NAAC 3L Team L to R:  Casey Williams, Adam Shiells, Manisha Daryani

The Moot Court Department thanks this year's Jessup alumni coaches Mari Overbeck, Sarah Hines, and Vlad Kroll, who shared their international practice and moot court experiences to effectively prepare the team for this extremely challenging competition.  Thanks also to student coach Jessica Moy, a member of last year's Jessup team, for her thorough preparation and extensive assistance.  Congratulations to the team!

Other Hastings Moot Court teams are preparing now for upcoming competitions, and they need your help!  Please visit www.hastingsmootcourt.com to find out how to be a volunteer judge or host for a team practice.  Also, please contact Toni Young, younga@uchastings.edu, to hear about other ways you or your firm can continue to support the strong tradition of Moot Court success at Hastings.