Let the (Oral) Argument Begin

Kudos (on getting this far) and best wishes (as we move forward) to the sixteen upper-level students who are competing this week in the quarterfinals of the Jenkins Moot Court Competition. The students earned this right based on their top performance in last fall’s Appellate Writing and Advocacy course, which is a prerequisite or gateway to both the intramural Jenkins Competition and all extramural or interscholastic moot-court competitions. The students are paired into eight teams of two for purposes of the Jenkins Competition:

  • Lindsay Caldwell & Lindsey Johnson
  • Alyssa Dowse & Tim Sheehey
  • Jessica Farley & Brent Simerson
  • Sandy Giernoth & Megann Senfleben
  • Tim Hassel & Joe Brydges
  • Rachel Helmers & Nick Harken
  • Amber Peterson & Allison Ziegler
  • Nicole Standback & Bridget Mueller

Each team writes a brief in the first half of the spring semester and has a chance to argue twice in a round of quarterfinals. Thereupon, based on a weighted scoring of the brief and the oral arguments, four teams advance to the semifinals. The briefs having been “filed” several weeks ago, the oral arguments begin this week, and culminate in the Jenkins Finals at the United States Courthouse at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 2.

More information on the reasons the Law School structures its moot-court competition this way can be found in this article from the Marquette Lawyer or at the moot-court webpage (and a student’s perspective can be found in a very fine post by a guest blogger last month, Jessica Franklin). I hope that all will join me in congratulating and wishing well to this year’s Jenkins competitors.

Continue ReadingLet the (Oral) Argument Begin

Professor Schneider Receives the Women in the Law 2009 Award by the Wisconsin Law Journal

A few weeks ago, the Wisconsin Law Journal awarded my colleague Andrea Kupfer Schneider the prestigious Women in the Law Award for 2009.  Professor Schneider was one of 21 outstanding women who were selected this year by the Journal for their work with Wisconsin’s legal community.  In its tribute to Professor Schneider, the Journal traces her passion for the law back to her grandfather’s practice, and describes her love for Marquette Law School and our first-class Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

As a woman in the law, I am thrilled with Professor Schneider’s award! Nobody more than Andrea Schneider deserves this recognition for her tireless work, service, and leadership at Marquette University Law School and in so many other institutional and noninstitutional organizations.   Since I have known Andrea Schneider, she has been a primary source of inspiration and example, and I know she is a guide and example for all of our students and colleagues.  I admire Professor Schneider as a teacher, a great scholar, and one of the most outstanding leaders in committees and programs I have ever met in my career. As a mother, I also tremendously admire Andrea Schneider’s ability to balance work and family, multitask, and get everything done, always impeccably.

Congratulations again, Professor Schneider, and thanks so much for the wonderful role model you are for all of us women in the law!

Continue ReadingProfessor Schneider Receives the Women in the Law 2009 Award by the Wisconsin Law Journal

Congratulations to the Marquette National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team

Congratulations to the Marquette National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) team!  On Saturday, our students distinguished themselves at the Boston regional NAAC competition.  Stephen Boyett, Carrie Devitt, and Jessie Franklin won each of their five rounds of competition, and they will be advancing to the National Finals in April.  Elizabeth Champeau and Thomas Worsfold advanced to the semifinal round.  The students also distinguished themselves in obtaining high scores on their briefs. 

Approximately 190 teams entered the competition and are participating in six regional competitions.  Only the top four teams from each regional round advance to the National Finals in Chicago.

Both teams have worked hard to prepare for competition.  The students put many hours into preparing their briefs and oral arguments.  We appreciate the assistance that many local practitioners and law faculty gave us in preparing for the oral arguments.  We are especially grateful to Attorney Michael Cerjak, a 2008 law alum and former NAAC competitor, who organized and attended numerous practice rounds.  Michael surprised the team by flying out for the final rounds on Saturday. 

Congratulations, Team!  I’m proud of you!!

Continue ReadingCongratulations to the Marquette National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team