Villanova Law Moot Court Board Thrives in Spring Competitions

Villanova Law’s Moot Court Board members found success competing in national appellate advocacy competitions in spring 2023. Facing law schools across the United States, teams consisted of two students from the Moot Court Board, the principal oral advocacy organization at Villanova Law, which aims to enhance and showcase students’ courtroom and advocacy skills.

Using procedures modeled after those employed in state and federal appellate courts, participants analyzed and argued cutting-edge legal issues from the petitioners’ or respondents’ sides for hypothetical cases.

This year, the members of the Moot Court Board honed their skills in competitions nationwide.

•  At the 18^th Annual NYU School of Law Immigration Law Competition on February 3-5, Mary McDermott ’23 and Eddie Reilingh ’23 finished as quarterfinalists and Reilingh was awarded second-best oralist. Josey Richards ’23 coached the team.
• Dan Goldfield ’24 and Anna O’Brien ’24 excelled in the preliminary rounds of the 53^rd Annual William B. Spong Jr. Invitational at William & Mary Law School from February 17-18. Zach Moniz ’23 coached the team.
• Ali Brainard ’23 and Collin Sykes ’23 advanced to the round of sixteen at the National Energy & Sustainability Moot Court Competition at the West Virginia University College of Law on March 2-4. Isabelle Roman ’23 coached the team.
• Two teams competed in the 35^th Annual Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition at Albany Law School on March 3-4. Riley Cook ’23 and Madelyn Phinney ’23 finished as semi-finalists. The team of Taylor Bourguignon ’23 and Maggie MacDonald ’23 finished as octo-finalists, while MacDonald was named the third-best oralist. Kaely Lawler ’23 coached both teams.
• Two teams competed in the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition from March 17-18 at the Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC. The teams of Haley Norwillo ’23 and Nicky Ozoworski ’24, and Meghan Fleming ’24 and Abby Kelley ’24 excelled in the preliminary rounds, coached by Taylor Bourguignon ’23 and Lyndsey Marcus ’23 respectively.
• Mylon Medley ’24 and Jordyn Pace ’24, coached by Mary McDermott ’23, finished as quarterfinalists at the Gender + Sexuality Moot Court Competition at Michigan State University College of Law from March 18-19.
• Josey Richards ’23 and Zach Moniz ’23 excelled in the preliminary rounds at the Seton Hall University School of Law John J. Gibbons Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition held March 24-25. Collin Sykes ’23 coached the team.
• Two teams competed in the Kaufman Securities Law Moot Court Competition at Fordham School of Law from March 24-26. Parks Kingery ’24 and Patrick McKeon ’24 finished as quarterfinalists, coached by Maggie MacDonald ’23. The team of Aris Fernandez ’24 and Eric Rotteveel ’24 excelled in the preliminary rounds, coached by Allie Romano ’23.
• Kaely Lawler ’23 and Lyndsey Marcus ’23 were quarterfinalists at the University of Buffalo School of Law Wechsler Competition from March 31-April 1. The pair were awarded second-best brief and coached by Ali Brainard ’23.
• Two teams competed in the Ninth Annual Touro Law Center Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion on April 2-3. The teams of Allie Romano ’23 and Isabelle Roman ’23, and Krysti Oschal ’24 and Sarah Urie ’24 excelled in the preliminary rounds. Riley Cook ’23 and Eddie Reilingh ’23 coached the teams respectively.
• Madison Hamm ’24 and Alannah King ’24 excelled in the preliminary rounds at the 38^th Annual Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition at Brooklyn Law School from March 30-April 1. Madelyn Phinney ’23 coached the team.

The Board received instrumental assistance in preparation for their competitions from Villanova Law professors Todd Aagaard, Thomas Bennett, Doris Brogan, Steve Chanenson, Michaelle Dempsey, Robert Hegadorn, Mark Momjian, Michael Moreland, Jennifer O’Hare, Itay Ravid, Tuan Samahon and Jane Voegele. Additionally, the following alumni coaches dedicated their time and expertise that helped contribute to the Board’s successful year: Andrew Bandini ’22, Kristine Calalang ’04, Mignon Groch ’90, Vanessa Huber ’20, Lisa Maeyer ’22, Tasha Nankerville ’22, Caroline Rini ’22, Fernanda Sandoval ’21 and Becky Velez ’22.