Two spring graduates from the University of Colorado School of Law won the American Constitution Society's Constance Baker Motley National Moot Court Competition.
Cash Parker and Patrick Theissen defeated a team from the University of California, Berkeley to capture the finals and a $3,000 prize. The competition, which concluded on June 13, included 54 teams from 34 schools and was held during the American Constitution Society's annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
"This is a major national distinction because the issues addressed in the competition are those of national importance in understanding the American Constitution," said Lorenzo Trujillo, assistant dean of students and professional programs. "At this time in American history, the legal and profound knowledge of the Constitution is at the core of American jurisprudence as we move forward as a nation."
During this year's competition, students debated about state elections and their role in helping ensure a fair and independent judiciary. Judge William Fletcher of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Richard Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and Justice Peter Rubin of the Court of Appeals of Massachusetts judged the competition.
In the semifinal rounds, the CU team defeated a team from Georgetown University, and the UC-Berkeley team defeated a team from Duke University.
In January a CU student team won second place against teams from more than 150 law schools in the nation's most prestigious moot court competition, the National Moot Court Competition sponsored by the New York City Bar and the American College of Trial Lawyers.
"Legal advocacy competitions are recognizably important in preparing students for the practice of law," said CU law Dean David Getches. "Our students and their professors and coaches have demonstrated notable and commendable excellence in winning national competitions. We are proud of their legal skills, which represent the highest caliber of analysis and presentation."
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