The competition experienced an enormous increase in participants this year, with 230 first-year students participating, up from 180 last year. The competition determines which students from the 1L class are invited to serve as candidates for the Moot Court Board. Beyond a vehicle for determining the Board's membership, the competition provides participants with an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience in oral advocacy.

This year, the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board voted to rename the 1L Competition, and is proud to announce the naming of its annual competition after distinguished University of Miami School of Law Professor John T. Gaubatz. In addition to being one of UM's most prestigious professors, Professor Gaubatz has been a friend, supporter and advisor of the Moot Court Board for many years. Henceforth, the competition will be referred to as the John T. Gaubatz 1L Moot Court Competition. A reception honoring Professor Gaubatz's retirement and the renaming of the competition will take place in the student lounge on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:00 PM. All students and alumni are invited to attend.

The format of the 1L competition is as follows: competitors were assigned to one of five problems which corresponded to his or her Legal Research and Writing class. Each team was required to argue as both appellant and appellee, and the highest-scoring teams advanced to quarterfinals, then semifinals and finals. The competition was fierce, and the final rounds were very close. The Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board congratulates the following winners and finalists of their respective problems:

Winners:
Problem 1: David Ledyard-Marks & Josh Worell
Problem 2: Steven Appelbaum & Rishi Kapoor
Problem 3: Rachel Dubin & Greg McDermott
Problem 4: Jon Squires & Eric Rudenberg
Problem 5: Kevin Gaunt & Danielle Golino

Finalists:
Problem 1: Edlyn Hernandez & Yolanda Paschal
Problem 2: Justin Danhof & Mike Pieciak
Problem 3: Andrea Cortland & Andrew Bagley
Problem 4: Laura Tepich & Andrew Wilson
Problem 5: Liz Somerstein & Michael Serota

Back: Dean Vanderwyden, 3L Dave Ruffner (2006-2007 1L Vice President), 1L Eric Rudenberg, 1L Greg McDermott, 1L Steven Appelbaum, 1L Rishi Kapoor, & Dean Lennon Front: 3L Kevin Probst (2006-2007 Moot Court Board President), 1L Josh Worell, 1L David Ledyard-Marks, 1L Jon Squires,1L Rachel Dubin, 1L Danielle Golino, & 1L Kevin Gaunt

posted 11-April-2007