Law students sharpen skills at JAG moot court competition

After two days and seven rounds of oral arguments and deliberations, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command Rear Adm. Nan DeRenzi presented the "Best Overall Team" award to Stetson University College of Law.

Student Brice Zoecklein said, "On behalf of my teammates, Joe Etter and Amie Patty, I thank Adm. DeRenzi and the Navy JAG Corps for organizing such a well-run and challenging competition. We presented our arguments before prominent judges who know from courtroom experience what they're talking about. Their constructive criticism after each round was invaluable to every team as they moved up in the competition."

University of Denver third-year law student Nicholas Mahrt received the "Best Oral Advocate" award from Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, Rear Adm. Nan DeRenzi Nov. 14 at the Navy Jag Corps National Moot Competition on board NAS Jacksonville.

The "Best Brief" award went to Andrew Shadoff and Greg Dixon of Duke Law.

"Best Oral Advocate" went to Nicholas Mahrt of University of Denver. "I was really shocked and surprised when my name was called," said Mahrt. "I only presented two oral arguments in the preliminary rounds, so I'm pleased that my presentations made such a positive impression with these distinguished jurists. We're already planning who will be on our team for next year's moot court."

DeRenzi told the competitors, "It's been my privilege to watch this talented and diverse group of students hone their skills in research, writing and oral advocacy. I hope you all learned more about military justice, the Navy, and the JAG Corps role in legal matters around the world. And I'm sure you noticed all Navy JAGs share the common traits of leadership, integrity and dedication to service. You can return to your schools with a justifiable sense of pride in your accomplishments this week."

The award for "Best Brief" at the Navy JAG Corps National Moot Court Competition went to Duke University law students Andrew Shadoff (left) and Greg Dixon. They were congratulated by Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, Rear Adm. Nan DeRenzi Nov. 14 at the NAS Jacksonville Officers' Club.

Navy legal staff from Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) hosted the competition at four "court rooms" set up in the NAS Jacksonville Officers' Club.

"This competition promotes legal education and awareness of the actual issues arising in the military justice systems," said RLSO SE Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Kiamos. "In moot court, the 'case' is purely fictional - but the experience for law students is truly invaluable. After each round of arguments, the judges provide substantive feedback to competitors, which adds even more value to this unique learning opportunity."

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. said, "We're pleased that Navy JAG chose NAS Jax as the site for their inaugural National Moot Court Competition. We're honored to support this event that enables top law students from across the nation to not only compete - but also to build both their knowledge and camaraderie. This is a great opportunity to showcase what the Navy has to offer - and hopefully, some of these aspiring lawyers will go on to become Navy JAGs."

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr (third from left) welcomes a very distinguished panel of judges to the air station during the inaugural Navy Judge Advocate General's Coprs National Moot Court Competion held at NAS Jax Nov. 12-14. From left, Capt. Paul Kiamos, commanding officer of Region Legal Service Southeast; Capt. Daniel O'Toole, chief judge of the Department of the Navy; Scorby; Andrew Effron, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals fro the Armed Forces; judges Charles "Chip" Erdman and H.F. "Sparky" Gierke of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces. Not pictured: James Knoll Gardner, judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Photo by Miriam S. Gallet

Distinguished judges participating in the moot court competition, included: James Knoll Gardner, judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Andrew Effron, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; Charles Erdmann, judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; H.F. Gierke, retired senior judge, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and Capt. Dan O'Toole, chief judge of the Department of the Navy.

Effron serves on the highest court in the military justice system. "I've been privileged to judge a number of civilian moot courts at law schools in the Washington area and elsewhere. This is my first moot court focused on a military case. These are high quality students who did their research, wrote excellent briefs - and were very articulate in their oral presentations," said Effron.

He explained that students were given their case months before the moot court convened. "They submitted their written briefs to a separate judging pool for scoring. We're aware of what's in the briefs, but this three-day moot court is solely to hear and score their oral advocacy skills.

From left, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Andrew Effron; Capt. Paul Kiamos, commanding officer of Region Legal Service Office Southeast and Capt. Jack Scorby Jr., commanding officer of NAS Jacksonville, enjoy a chat after breakfast on day one of the inaugural Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps National Moot Court Competion. Scorby described the Donald Duck logo on the NAS Jax Command Coin to Effron. Photo by Miriam S. Gallet

"This is a well-organized event. When students move on to the next round, they argue before a new three-judge panel. While our scoring is confidential, we do offer students immediate feedback in the nature of particular points they made or didn't make during the argument - and how they can improve their performance," said Effron.

He concluded, "The staff of Region Legal Service Office Southeast put together an outstanding moot court competition. I must also thank everyone involved on behalf of NAS Jacksonville for the great weather and the Southern hospitality."

O'Toole said, "These students are very bright and exceedingly well prepared - and I believe every one of these young people will become an outstanding attorney. The competition was extremely close. It's also a matter of great pride to the JAG Corps to showcase military justice in the context of legal education. When I asked how these students could be so well prepared, I learned that many go on line to the Navy Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals Website and listen to oral arguments of that court. Now that's a smart thing to do."

Florida Coastal School of Law student Eugene Martell argues before a panel of military judges during the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps 2009 National Moot Court Competition held at NAS Jacksonville. Photo by MCC Tony Casullo

This was the first moot court for Todd Hutchins, a member of the University of California Berkley Law team. "I saw the Navy moot court competition on the Internet and it looked like a phenomenal opportunity. We had a little more than two months to prepare our written brief. You also have to be prepared to argue both sides of the case (appellee or appellant), which is a fundamental skill that lawyers should have when they articulate an argument before judges or juries. It strengthens both our arguments because we must attack and defend each side of the case."

His teammate, Corbin Barthold, said he enjoyed the challenge of formulating ideas and presenting arguments. "We've each done three oral arguments so far, and the feedback we get from each panel has been extremely helpful. Another important benefit of moot court is paying attention to your demeanor and body language, so you present yourself in the most positive way before the panel.

In addition to the moot court competition, the students toured commands at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport Nov. 12, where Sailors explained their missions and what part they play in assuring our national security.

Navy Capt. Bruce MacKenzie, chief judge, Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary, Washington D.C. provides feedback to law students during the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps 2009 National Moot Court Competition. Photo by MCC Anthony Casullo

The competition attracted law students interested in the military justice system from: