Moot Court Team at FSU College of Law

Wrapping up this week’s competition lineup, Jake Hessinger and Jacob Phelps will represent us at the UCLA Cybercrimes Moot Court Competition scheduled for March 1st. Under the coaching of Michael Kaney ('18) and Benjamin Taylor ('19), we’re confident in their success. Go team!

Next up, join us in wishing Sam Brodigan and Harrison Otto good luck this weekend as they compete in the Frank A. Schreck Gaming Law Moot Court Competition! The competition is held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coaching them are Moot Court Alumni Bailey Howard ('17) and Trevor A. Thompson ('09). The team also received assistance from Third-Member Brief Writer Francesca Cuttitta. Best of luck!

Join us in extending our best wishes to Matt Henderson and Charys Smith as they compete in the Frank A. Schreck Gaming Law Moot Court Competition this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada! Guiding them is Coach Segundo Fernandez. The team also received assistance from Third-Member Brief Writer, Taylor Saunders. Go Noles!

The Moot Court Team gears up for a packed week as four teams will compete this weekend. Kicking things off, Katherine Hernandez and Nina Robbins take on the Gabrielli Family Law Moot Court Competition in Albany, New York from February 28th to March 1st. They are coached by Barbara Busharis. Wishing the team the best of luck!

Congratulations to Kobe Jones and Sarah Kilpatrick on an excellent performance this weekend, securing Best Brief and 3rd Overall Best Argument at the Bryant-Moore Civil Rights Moot Court Competition! Thank you to Third-Member Brief Writer, Alyssa Hawthorne, for her contributions and to coaches, Holly Curry and Stephanie Hayes, for their guidance. 🏆

Join us in cheering on Kobe Jones and Sarah Kilpatrick, as they compete in the Bryant-Moore Civil Rights Moot Court Competition this weekend! They are coached by alumni Holly Curry (’21) and Stephanie Hayes (’12), and they received assistance from Third-Member Brief Writer, Alyssa Hawthorne. Wishing them the best of luck this weekend!

Join us in cheering on Jake Barron and Ray Emmerson as they compete at the highly anticipated 54th Annual William B. Spong, Jr. Invitational Tournament this weekend! Taking place on February 14-15, at the William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia, our dynamic duo is under the expert guidance of Hannah DuShane. They also received help from Third Member Brief Writer, Hunter Nelson. Wishing them the best of luck as they showcase their advocacy skills. Go team! 🏆

Wishing Tara Bagherlee and Arnèle Francis the best of luck this week as they participate in the Tulane Mardi Gras Sports Law Invitational in New Orleans from February 13-16th! They are coached by FSU Law alumni Laura Dennis (’11) and Jessica Poarch (’07). Best of luck to Tara and Arnèle!

Good luck to Michael Bartnick and Tate Wilson as they compete in the Hicks Thomas LLP Moot Court National Competition this week! They are coached by Professor Steve Johnson and received support from Third Member Brief Writer Kate Winegardnew. Best of luck Michael and Tate!

Now announcing our Spring 2025 Competition Schedule! We cannot wait to see our team members compete across the country, showcasing their oral and written advocacy skills!

Last week, our Annual Final Four Competition transpired at the Florida Supreme Court. Amidst a packed courtroom filled with FSU Law students, faculty, alumni, local attorneys, family, and friends, second-year team members Jake Barron, Mason Bennett, Sarah Kilpatrick, and Nyah German delivered compelling oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court Justices! Congratulations to Jake Barron for being honored as the Best Oralist by Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz!

We extend our sincere appreciation to Shutts & Bowen LLP for their sponsorship, contributing to the success of this year's competition. Congratulations once again to all of our Final Four Advocates, and a special thank you to the FSU Law and Tallahassee legal community for their invaluable support in making this event possible!

Meet our fourth Final Four Advocate, Nyah German, who will argue for the Respondent!

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University ’23, B.A. in Literature, Media, and Culture

Hobbies & Interests: Binge-watching and overanalyzing media, reading and writing, baking, and making Spotify playlists.

Why did you go to law school?: “During the COVID-19 quarantine, I was inspired by activists in the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements to pursue a career where I could effectuate change. At a time when the whole world was embroiled in a common health and economic crisis that should have brought us together, it was disheartening to see prominent and violent examples of discrimination continuing, yet also encouraging to see people band together to fight for systemic change. I felt that I could better pursue my passions of advocating for equal rights and equitable treatment of marginalized communities in the legal field.”

Practice Areas of Interest: Civil Rights Advocacy, Employment Discrimination, Human Rights Law

Legal Experience: Nyah is currently working with the International Human Rights Advocacy Clinic on an advocacy project for a new refugee policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and she is a law clerk for Ausley McMullen.

Other Involvements at FSU Law: Nyah is a Staff Editor on Law Review, the Writing and Research Editor on the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, a Legislative Liaison for the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, and a general member of the Public Interest Law Student Association and OUTlaw.

Good luck at Final Four, Nyah!

Next, arguing for the Respondent, we have Final Four Advocate, Sarah Kilpatrick!

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Undergraduate Institution: Palm Beach Atlantic
University ’22, B.A. in Politics

Hobbies & Interests: Yoga, cooking, cross-stitching.

Why did you go to law school?: “I came to law school to strengthen my writing and advocacy skills so that I can better serve people through effective public policy.”

Practice Areas of Interest: Administrative law, constitutional law, consumer protection.

Legal Experience: This past summer, Sarah interned for the Office of General Counsel at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This fall, she will serve as a Legislative Fellow for the Florida House of Representatives.

Other Involvements at FSU Law: Law Review, Staff Editor; Law Students Practicing Wellness, President; Public Interest Law Students Association.

Come support Sarah at Final Four!

Get to know Final Four Advocate, Mason Bennett, who will argue for the Petitioner!

Hometown: Panama City Beach, Florida

Undergraduate Institution: Troy University ’23, B.S. in Business Administration; Master of Business Administration

Hobbies & Interests: Mason is a long-distance runner. He enjoys running at several of the parks and trails in Tallahassee. He also loves watching FSU football.

Why did you go to law school?: “I have always been fascinated with history and government. When I was in high school, one of my favorite classes was U.S. Government and Politics. I had the opportunity to read several old documents from the Founding Era. I found that I loved conducting legal research and crafting arguments. This class solidified my decision to go to law school.”

Practice Areas of Interest: Corporate and Business Law, Government Advocacy, and Appellate Litigation

Legal Experience: Mason has previously done the In-House Corporate Counsel Externship at The St. Joe Company in Panama City Beach, Florida. He also served as a Teaching Assistant for the College of Law’s Juris Master Program. The class that he helped teach was Employment Law for H.R. Compliance.

Other Involvements at FSU Law: Intramural Co-Chair for the Moot Court Team, Staff Editor on the FSU Law Review, Staff Editor on the FSU Business Review, and Treasurer for the Federalist Society

We wish Mason the best of luck at Final Four!

With the Final Four Competition less than a week away, it’s time to introduce our Advocates—starting with Jake Barron, who will argue for the Petitioner!

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University ’21, B.A. in Political Science; M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship

Hobbies & Interests: Sports, hiking, and pretty much any other outdoor activity

Why did you go to law school?: “Upon the completion of my collegiate sports career, I felt led to embark on a new adventure that would continue to challenge me, while also equipping me with valuable skills that could be leveraged to represent and advocate for those who cannot fight for themselves.”

Practice Area of Interest: 1st Amendment Rights, Real Estate, Civil Litigation

Legal Experience: Jake worked as a Legal Assistant for one (1) year with the Law Offices of James I. Barron III., P.A. He also worked with Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth J. Gibson for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

Other Involvements at FSU Law: Serving as a T.A. in the College of Law for Professor Laura Dennis; Member of the Christian Legal Society and the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies

Best of luck at Final Four, Jake!

Good luck to Matthew Groteke and Sheldon Burnell who are competing in the Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition this weekend! They are coached by Professor Courtney Brewer and Judge Stephanie Ray and also received support from Third-Member Brief Writer, Sarika Madan. Best of luck Matthew and Sheldon!