Moot Court American
Collegiate Competition
2011 Competition
The Regent Law Moot Court Board delivered another great experience for undergraduate students last November 11-12, 2011, when it hosted the 7th Annual American Collegiate Moot Court Association’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament. Twenty-four teams of two students each from five different schools competed. Competitors were tasked with arguing whether the First Amendment protected allegedly threatening conversations about the President in a private chat room. Tournament judges included Regent Law professors, local attorneys, Regent Law alumni and Moot Court Board members. With teams from Patrick Henry, the University of Virginia, Liberty University, Regent University, and St. Augustine’s College, the playing field was extremely competitive, and many of the rounds were separated by only a handful of points. But Patrick Henry took home the bacon, placing first and second in the tournament after advancing past three preliminary rounds and four eliminations rounds.
After a thrilling final round in front of nine justices and a roomful of spectators in Regent’s Moot Court Room, first place went to Ardee Coolidge and Joshua Chamberlain, with second place going to James Nelson and Rebecca Sampayan. All of the competitors were outstanding, especially (and remarkably) with little-to-no legal training.
After the final round, the competitors were treated to a reception on the balcony of the Regent Library, where competitors were able to talk with judges. Over a delicious meal catered by the Regent Ordinary, competitors and judges discussed oral advocacy strategies and futures in the field of law. Local attorney and former Moot Court Board Chairman John M. McCormick addressed the undergraduate competitors, sharing how graduating from Regent’s School of Law gave him the kind of confidence he needed to go out into private practice and best serve his clients. Overall, the Moot Court Board’s 7th annual ACMA competition offered the perfect opportunity for many young and aspiring undergraduates to showcase their abilities in a realistic law school environment.
