“Regardless of what happens today, this was really the best experience of law school.”

At breakfast on the morning of the 2026 Tax Executives Institute (TEI) International Tax Student Case Competition this month in Montreal, one Marquette Law student reflected on the experience that had already brought the team to Canada. Hours later, that experience would become even more memorable.

A team of Samuel Henderson, Zachary (Zac) McClenathan, Erin Murray, and Alexandra Pascarella, coached by Professor Robert J. Misey, captured first place in the international competition, prevailing over teams from Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Romania, and the United States.

The victory was anything but expected.