CARLISLE, Pa. — Third-year Penn State Dickinson Law students Mitchell Snyder and Tyler Eckert won Region 3 in the New York City Bar Association’s 77nd National Moot Court Competition, held virtually Nov. 13-14. In addition to Dickinson Law, teams from the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Drexel University, the University of Baltimore, American University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Pittsburgh participated in the competition.
This event, sponsored by the New York City Bar Association’s National Moot Court Competition Committee and the American College of Trial Lawyers, is one of the longest-running and most honored competitions of its kind. The historic competition allows student advocates to hone their appellate advocacy skills before prominent members of the legal profession. Every year, over 120 law schools compete in regional rounds throughout the United States, with winners advancing to final rounds at the New York City Bar Association.
“It was an exhilarating experience to argue before, and have a conversation with, sitting U.S. Circuit Court Judges. Their questions and insight into the issues we were arguing was extremely impressive. I am proud we were able to engage in a dialogue with them regarding the important issues at play in the case,” said Snyder. “I found it was rewarding to put to use the skills gained in both the Advocacy I and Appellate Advocacy courses throughout the competition. My internship experience with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Leeson Jr., and the Appellate Division of the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office provided me with the practical experience necessary to successfully craft my argument.”
As a member of the 2021-22 Moot Court Executive Board, Eckert indicated that “this year, the executive board set out to expand and improve the moot court opportunities by expanding competition opportunities to 2Ls. We sought to ensure that our competitors could gain valuable experience in brief writing and oral argument beyond the intraschool competition held each fall. With the leadership of Moot Court President Michaela Zanis, I believe we can leave a legacy of a Moot Court program that will provide more opportunities in the future. I’d like to thank all the professors who helped us prepare for this competition and are partly responsible for our success. Special thanks to our Moot Court Program faculty advisor Mohamed Badissy, National Moot Court Team coach Robert Rains, Gary Gildin, Timothy Nieman, Thomas Place, and the Moot Court Executive Board.”
During the competition, Snyder and Eckert competed against and beat teams from George Washington, Georgetown, George Washington (semifinals), and the University of Pennsylvania (final).
The panel of judges for the final included the Honorable William Nardini of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Honorable Carolyn McHugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the Honorable Cathy Bissoon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Professor Emeritus Robert E. Rains, who served as the coach for the team, noted, “This is a long-established, prominent national competition. It is a real accomplishment for Mitch and Tyler to have been awarded the highest score in the region on their brief and to have won the region, especially with a 4-0 record. Mitch and Tyler did an outstanding job.”
Under the rules, the top two teams in each region proceed to the final rounds, meaning Snyder and Eckert will represent Dickinson Law in the national final rounds to be held Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, 2022, in New York City.