Congratulations to the WashULaw Jessup team who reached the finals of the U.S. Western Regional of the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court competition, which was held from February 29 to March 3, 2024.
As a result of its performance, WashULaw qualifies to compete in the Jessup World Cup Rounds, which are scheduled to begin on March 31, 2024. WashULaw has one of the most successful and consistent Jessup programs in the country, and this marks the 10th time out of the last 12 years that the school has qualified for the Jessup World Cup Rounds. The Jessup Moot Court Competition is the largest moot court competition in the world typically involving more than 600 teams from over 100 countries.
For the first time, all U.S. teams competed in one of two mega-regional tournaments – one located in New Orleans, Louisiana (Eastern Regional), and the other in Portland, Oregon (Western Regional). The WashULaw team is composed of the following four members: Mina Nur Basmaci (2L) and Victor Allison (2L), who represented the Applicant team; and Nareh Derhartounian (2L) and Sophia Crain (2L), who represented the Respondent team.
The preliminary rounds of the Western Regional started with 37 teams. The Applicant team defeated the University of Arizona. The Respondent team defeated the University of San Diego and Wayne State University, with the latter school being a well-known Jessup power like Washington University. In the knock-out rounds, the Applicant team defeated the University of Pennsylvania in the Octo-Finals, the University of Nevada Las Vegas in the Quarterfinals, and the University of Texas in the Semi-Finals. The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Texas are also considered to be well-known Jessup powers. WashULaw lost a close match in the Finals to Case Western Reserve University, the U.S. West Regional Champion.
Two WashULaw oralists earned speaking awards. Nareh Derhartounian was recognized as the 10th best oralist and Sophia Crain was the 19th best oralist in the competition. The competition had a total of 142 competitors eligible for speaking awards.
Many thanks to those who have advise and coach the team. The faculty advisor is Professor Leila Sadat. The team coach is the Hon. Gilbert C. Sison, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Illinois. Team advisors are Regan Hildebrand (Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri), Kristina Houchins (Term Law Clerk, United States District Court Southern District of Illinois), Jack Hueseman (Term Law Clerk, United States District Court Eastern District of Missouri).
