March 23, 2022

Moot Court Team ABA Named Regional Champions!

Please join us in congratulating Moot-ers Alexandra Christensen, Charlotte Bray, Kelsi Grau, and their coach Professor Jenny Rodriguez-Fee on their EPIC win at the 2022 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition San Francisco Regional. Moot Court Team ABA ROCKED the West Coast regional competition held on February 16-19, 2022, triumphing against 34 teams to be named ABA Regional Champions! With this win, they'll be advancing to the National Finals on April 7-9, 2022. 

The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) is a moot court competition that emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case before a mock court. 

Moot Court Team ABA with writer Alexandra Christensen and oralists Charlotte Bray and Kelsi Grau demonstrated brilliant mastery of advocacy skills and were fierce competitors. They delivered such an outstanding performance that in Round Four against UC Berkeley, they won by a 78 point margin! They bested teams from Gonzaga, Pepperdine, University of Oregon, UC Berkeley, and finally, the University of San Diego for a 5-0 victory. 

"Competition at the ABA Regionals was steep, but I could not be more proud of my team for being resilient, unflappable, and fierce advocates. This competition took a lot out of us, but in the end, all of our countless hours and sleepless nights paid off. I could not have asked for a better team to be beside me during this competition, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish at Nationals!"

- Kelsi Grau

Moot Court Co-Directors Professor Catherine Carpenter and Professor Alexandra D'Italia were thrilled for the students and their achievements. They recounted their performance at the competition in an email. "Team ABA's brief, which was thoroughly researched and beautifully written, now ranks as Southwestern's highest-scoring brief at this particularly challenging competition." 

They also remarked on the significance of this win for the team and Moot Court. 

"Moot watchers know that the ABA Competition is incredibly difficult, and the west coast region is highly competitive. And despite all of Moot's accomplishments and awards over the years, a regional win at ABA remained elusive for our program UNTIL NOW." They shared, "Their victory is made even sweeter for Professor Fee, who competed at the ABA Moot Court competition as a Southwestern student." 

"No matter the outcome, we are confident that these three and their incredible coach will continue to make Southwestern proud!" 

- Moot Court Co-Directors, Professors Catherine Carpenter & Alexandra D'Italia

Alexandra Christensen credited their victory to their teamwork and their support from the entire Moot Court Honors Program. 

She says, "Moot has been a marvelous experience. The program puts a hearty emphasis on teamwork and community, which the Directors and Board really foster. With their support, we were able to devote ourselves to the problem and the competition. Our amazing coach, Professor Rodriguez-Fee, was always there to cheer us on and give sage advice." 

 

"It is very gratifying to work really hard on something and have those efforts pay off. I feel so fortunate to be part of this team, and I cannot wait to see Charlotte and Kelsi argue in Nationals."

- Alexandra Christensen

 

Her teammate Charlotte Bray agreed with her sentiments and wanted to thank their coach and teammates. 

"Success for Team ABA was all based on teamwork. Each member of our team was hard-working and diligent in researching the problem at hand during all stages of preparation. We have a wonderful coach in Prof. Rodriguez-Fee, who was there through all the ups and downs of competition."

 

"To echo my fellow teammates, I could not have asked for a stronger, more supportive team, and I am excited to compete at Nationals!"

- Charlotte Bray

 

Congratulations once again to Moot Court Team ABA on their Regional Championship! Thank you to the entire Moot Court Honors Program, their coaches, and their faculty directors for helping this team prepare. Please join us in cheering on Moot Court Team ABA as they head to Nationals in April!