STU Moot Court Places in Top 4 at Regional Event, Qualifies for National American Moot Court Competition

STU Moot Court is heading back to the American Moot Court Association National Tournament.  
 STUdents Jillian Lawrence and Julia Evans punched their ticket to the event after finishing in the top four at the Eastern Regional this weekend.

 

Evans, a fourth-year Human Rights and Political Science student from Grand Bay-Westfield, said qualifying for the national tournament felt “surreal.”

 

“I genuinely believe that our ‘underdog’ sentiment going into the regional tournament against prestigious institutions helped our success. STU’s courtroom demeanor is a perfect balance of humility, and confidence, and this did not go unnoticed by judges,” Evans said.

 

Evans also serves as the Moot Court Team captain, and said she was impressed by the work ethic of the STU Moot team as a whole.

 

“The team atmosphere is like no other. Having my teammates and coach sit behind us and cheer us on in the final rounds of the day was the motivation Jillian and I needed.”

 

Lawrence, a third-year Political Science and Human Rights student from Truro, Nova Scotia, said she is honoured to have made her team and professors proud by qualifying for nationals.

 

“One of the reasons I came to STU was for  Moot Court, so being able to realize this dream has been the most satisfying moment of my academic career,” she said.

 

In addition to Evans and Lawrence, STU was represented at the competition by Keira Vnuk, Nicholas Reis, Elizabeth Namit, Jazmyne McLaughlin, Oliver Wright-Gardner, and Jonathan McDonald. Lawrence received a speaker award and Vnuk and Reis were also in the top speakers.

 

Team coach Brianna Matchett said it was special to see her students succeed and applauded the work each student put into the case.

 

“STU didn't compete in American Moot Court Association tournaments last year so only one of the eight students had done this competition before. STU teams were able to win rounds against teams who have competed for three or four years,” Matchett said.

 

A STU alumna and former mooter herself, Matchett said she was able to draw on her own experience on the team to help her students.

 

“The skills I learned in moot help me on a daily basis in law school, so having the opportunity to help set other students up for the same success feels like I am helping the next generation of students find their confidence and prepare them for law school.”

 

Both Evans and Lawrence are excited for the national competition in January.

 

“I am looking forward to this next academic endeavour and challenge. After a couple of months of practice, I will bring the same energy and confidence to the national competition,” Evans said.