More UC Hastings Moot Court Successes

In additional impressive showings this season, UC Hastings Moot Court teams took home awards in two recent competitions.

National Criminal Procedure Tournament

Both UC Hastings teams finished in the top eight in the National Criminal Procedure Tournament at the University of San Diego School of Law. UC Hastings 3L students Sarah Kagan and Alex Worgaftik were awarded the Second Best Respondent Brief. UC Hastings 2L students James Carson and Mara Boundy were awarded the Third Best Petitioner Brief and Boundy was also named the Best Oralist of the tournament.

This year's tournament asked participants to delve into truly novel questions regarding recent Supreme Court precedent. First, participants had to grapple with the recent, and controversial, Arizona v. Gant opinion, which limited the ability of officers to perform a warrantless search of a suspect's vehicle after an arrest. Second, participants explored the use of brain imaging to circumvent the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The University of San Diego hosted a record 46 teams from around the country at this year's tournament, held Oct. 28-30, 2010.

Thanks to 3L student coaches Adam Shiells and Andrew Minegar and alumni coaches Agnes Dziadur '09 and K.C. Donovan '07.

John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition

Vince Lombardozzi, 3L, and 2Ls Kelly Foss and Jared Palmer won Best Brief and advanced to the semi-final round at the John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law, held in Chicago also from Oct. 28-30. This is UC Hastings' all-time best showing at the twenty-ninth annual competition.

Established in 1981, the Marshall competition has become one of the largest and most highly respected of all international moot courts. Students from law schools around the world gather at John Marshall each year to brief and argue challenging and unresolved issues of technology law.

This year's problem involved the privacy concerns of individuals who donate their genetic data for use in scientific research.

Thanks to 3L Alex Casnocha, Moot Court board member and the Marshall team student coach, as well as to long-time Moot Court supporter and alumna coach Amy Rose '02.

Your Help Needed for Upcoming Competitions

Other UC 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 '76, director of Moot Court, Appellate Advocacy, Legal Writing & Research, at younga@uchastings.edu to hear about other ways you or your firm can continue to support the strong tradition of Moot Court success at UC Hastings.