Quantcast
Channel: moot court – Pace Law Library
Viewing all 27 articles
Browse latest View live

First Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition

$
0
0

WRITTEN BY: Prof. Louis V. Fasulo, Kristen Carroll (’14)and Catherine Peña (’15)

Pace Law School hosted the First Annual Louis V. Fasulo Moot Court Competition on the weekend of March 29-30, 2014. Over 160 first year students and 100 Judges participated. The students argued the merits of the case of Dimitri Christov v. Life Renewal, Inc., the subject of their 1L brief. Professors Peter Widulski, Danielle Shalov, Margaret Smith, Francis Carroll, Tamar Gribetz, Carol Barry, Diane Webster, Vicky Gannon, Lucie Olejnikova, Cynthia Pittson, Taryn Rucinski, and Gail Whittemore guided the students and prepared them for their presentations. The students were presented with questions from a great panel of experienced judges and attorneys.

The comradery and the intensity of the competition provided for a stimulating weekend. After the first round the top 64 students competed on Sunday in the quest for top oralist. The students who competed in the advanced rounds were Alanna Moulds, Albert Vetere, Alexander Cirocco, Amanda Torres, Ancy Thomas, Antoinette Luciano, Ashley Kersting, Benjamin Campos, Bianca Olliver, Brad Landau, Briana Costa, Brianne Cunningham, Brielle Emhof, Brittany Patane, Brittany Richardson, Bryan Byrne, Cassandra Castellano, Cassandra Papandrew, David Rullo, Drew Gamils, Drew Levinson, Eileen Henry, Elizabeth Perreca, Eric Paulk, Eve Lincoln, Gavin Strube, Jaclyn Halk, Jennifer Robinson, Jessica Milnar, John Kolesar, Jonathan Rogoff, Josh Kauffman, Julie Hwang, Justin Baxter, Katherine Fielder, Kathryn O’Connell, Kenneth Walk, Kevin Diffley, Krista Callaghan, Kyle Pirog, Lauren Enea, Lauren Fitton, Malini Dhanraj, Margaret Lee, Mariae Gubenko, Marlon Bryan, Matthew Farnworth, Michael Chiaramonte, Michael Pesin-Virovets, Michael Sargo, Michelle Greaux, Michelle Greco, Morgann McCarthy, Naomi Singh, Nicole Wiitala, Nigyar Alieva, Nina Lee, Paul Artemeou, Peter Garcia, Pooja Shah, Rebecca Arbolino, Robert Bell, Robert Foster, Robert Palmer, Ryan Krebs, Ryan Meldrun, Sara Girgis, Sharleen Araula, Stellina Napolitano, Stephanie Paeprer, Susi Yanez, Suzanne Englot, Tatiana Rugel, Timothy O’Hara, Victoria Wagnerman, Vittoria Fiorenza, Wesley Dyer, and Zachary Oliva.

The quarter-final round of 32 students included Zachary Oliva, Alanna Moulds, Alexander Cirocco, Drew Levinson, Krista Callaghan, Susi Yanez, Vittoria Fiorenza, Stellina Napolitano, Eve Lincoln, Ashley Kersting, Sharleen Araula, Julie Hwang, Lauren Enea, Nigyar Alieva, Brianne Cunningham, Kathryn O’Connell, Bryan Byrne, Cassandra Castellano, Tatiana Rugel, Jaclyn Halk, Drew Gamils, Nina Lee, Pooja Shah, Ancy Thomas, Brittany Patane, Cassandra Papandrew, Brittany Richardson, Elizabeth Perreca, Amanda Torres, Robert Foster, Ryan Krebs, and Michael Pesin-Virovets.

The top 32 argued well and made it a difficult job for the judges to pick the top 16. However, Alexander Cirocco, Amanda Torres, Ancy Thomas, Brianne Cunningham, Brittany Richardson, Bryan Byrne, Cassandra Castellano, Elizabeth Perreca, Eve Lincoln, Lauren Enea, Nina Lee, Ryan Krebs, Sharleen Araula, Susi Yanez, Vittoria Fiorenza and Zachary Oliva earned their spot in the top 16 semi-final round.

The final four, Cassandra Castellano, Brittany Richardson, Brianne Cunningham and Nina Lee, did a fabulous job making it an exciting final. Cassandra Castellano won the competition as Best Advocate and received a $1000 Barbri Bar Review Certificate. Brittany Richardson won second place and received an $800 Barbri Bar Review Certificate. Brianna Cunningham won third place and received a $500 Barbri Bar Review Certificate.

The highlight of the weekend was the presentation by Professor Jill Gross, Director of Legal Skills, to Professor Louis Fasulo. Professor Fasulo was honored earlier this year by the senior faculty naming the competition in his honor. On Saturday the Legal Skills Professors, along with Professor Gross, honored Professor Fasulo (83’) with cider and cake as a formal celebration of his continuous efforts as Director of Advocacy Programs at the Law School.

Special Thanks goes to Loretta Musial, Professor Louis Fasulo, the 1L Legal Skills Writing and Research faculty for coming to support the students, Barbri for donating the gift certificates, Dean Simon, Chartwell Food Services, Kristen Carroll, Patrick Williams, Ellen Zhang, Catherine Peña, the Moot Court Honor Board members, and our Dean David Yassky, who was able to attend on Saturday.

Congratulations to Cassandra Castellano, Brittany Richardson, Brianne Cunningham and Nina Lee on this great achievement!

Share


Congratulations to the 2014 Pace Energy Team!

$
0
0

energy team photoOur Congratulations go to the 2014 Pace Energy Team that advanced to the Elite 8 at the Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition!  Over the weekend of March 29-30, 2014, Pace Law School sent two teams to the Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition in Morgantown, WV, hosted by West Virginia University. Michael DiCato (3L) and Andrea Rodricks (2L) made up one team, while Levan Thomas (2L) and Ellen Liang (2L) were members of the second team. Andrea Cerbin, staff attorney at the Pace Energy and Climate Center, coached the two teams, with Ellen Zhang (3L) assisting as a student coach. This year’s problem included complex Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act issues with a related common law nuisance issue. The two teams went up against schools including American, Notre Dame, and Duquesne, who ultimately won the competition. Michael and Andrea advanced all the way to the Elite 8, losing by a single point to the team that had the overall best oralist.

Share

Congratulations to the Pace First Voir Dire Team!

$
0
0

voir dire team photo 1Our Congratulations go to the First Pace Voir Dire Team that placed fifth overall at the Kansas City Show Me Challenge National Voir Dire Tournament and brought home Outstanding Voir Dire Award!  On April 4-6, 2014, Jon Panico (3L), Chrisopher Schweitzer (3L), Ellen Zhang (3L), and the team’s coach Professor Eylan Schulman (the first time Professor Schulman has coached a Pace team) represented Pace Law School in the Kansas City’s Show Me Challenge National Voir Dire Tournament held at the University of Missouri, MO. This was the first time Pace has competed in this unique competition that has teams competing in jury selection, second seating, and delivering an opening statement. This year’s problem involved a man charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly hit and killed a boy while being intoxicated and on a cell phone when operating a vehicle. The team went 2-1 in the three preliminary rounds against Campbell University Law School, Mississippi College School of Law, and Baylor Law School. After several tie-breakers, the team narrowly missed out on advancing to the quarter-finals, placing 5th out of the competing 16 teams. Christopher Schweitzer (3L) received an Outstanding Voir Dire Award for his perfect score in the last round, and a near perfect opening statement score in a previous round.

Share

Congratulations to the Pace 2014 Estrella Trial Advocacy Team!

$
0
0

2014teamOur Congratulations go to the Pace 2014 Estrella Trial Advocacy Team that advanced to semi-final round and placed third overall. The second annual Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC) was held on April 5-6, 2014 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The competition was established by George Washington School of Law in cooperation with Estrella LLC, a Puerto Rican general practice firm. This year’s competition problem involved a negligence action brought by Ms. Jamie Markel against her employer, Home Supply Center. Ms. Markel alleged that he was sexually assaulted by her coworker as a result of her employer’s negligence. Erica Gilerman (3L), Nicole Murdocca (3L), Christopher O’Brien (3L), and Matthew Pellegrine (3L) represented Pace Law School at the competition. Erica and Christopher represented the defendant, Home Supply Center, and Nicole and Matthew argued on behalf of the plaintiff, Ms. Markel. The team was coached by Keith Sullivan of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, and Professor Louis V. Fasulo.

In the preliminary rounds, Pace faced off against South Dakota Law School as well as George Mason Law School. After going undefeated, Pace advanced to the semi-finals along with Georgetown, Southern Illinois, and UCLA. Pace was the highest placing team from New York, outlasting teams such as Brooklyn, Fordham, and St. John’s Law Schools. Pace Law School placed third overall after falling to Southern Illinois in a 2-1 split decision. The team and coaches were honored to have the opportunity to represent Pace Law School in this competition and to explore the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

Congratulations to Erica, Nicole, Christopher, and Matthew for a great performance!

Share

2013-2014 Year in Review: Pace Law Students Are Demonstrating Oral Advocacy Skills

$
0
0

The oral advocacy program at Pace Law School is a robust one. Students here have the opportunity to learn and practice their oral advocacy skills by participating in the trial advocacy and/or the moot court programs. Along with standard set of courses, students have the opportunity to join variety of trial advocacy, appellate advocacy and/or moot court teams. It is a critical addition to the classroom learning, allowing for students to learn the value of preparation, hard work and collaboration. It is an intense learning experience which instills great confidence in our students. During the 2013-2014 academic year, Pace students participated in a total of 29 trial and moot court competitions in the areas of criminal law, civil rights, constitutional law, immigration law, labor law, client counseling, mediation, arbitration, negotiations, international environmental law, securities dispute resolution, energy and sustainability, international law, international commercial arbitration, international criminal law, evidence, baseball arbitration, voir dire skills, trial skills, appellate advocacy skills, and more. Join us in congratulating all the teams, their members and coaches, on a job well done! Special thanks goes to the Director of the Pace Oral Advocacy Skills Program, Prof. Louis V. Fasulo, the Pace Moot Court Board (consisting of hard working students), and Ms. Loretta Musial, the administrative assistant to oral advocacy program at Pace.

The following is a list (in no particular order) of trial and moot court competitions Pace law students participated in during 2013-2014 academic year:

National Sports Law Negotiation Competition // Thomas Jefferson School of Law (September 20 – September 22, 2013)
Coach: Jared Hand, Esq.
Team Members: Dan Masi, Jesse Kantor, Peter Naber (Student Coach)

GGU-BLS Criminal Mock Trial Competition (October 10 – October 13, 2013)
Coach: Hon. Sharon A. M. Aarons & Prof. Samuel Braverman
Team Members: Christopher O’Brien, Chris Camastro, Nicole Sosnowski, Erica Gilerman

Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition // SUNY Buffalo Law School (November 7 – November 11, 2013)
Coach: Prof. Julia Cornachio
Team Members: Jin Wu, Christian McCarthy, Lani Brandon, Juna Dawson-Murray

Voir Dire – Show Me The Challenge // UMKC School of Law (April 3 – April 5, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Eylan Schulman
Team Members: Ellen Zhang, Jon Panico, Chris Schweitzer

Judge Paul Joseph Kelly, Jr. Invitational Trial Competition // Fordham Law (February 22 – February 23, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Louis Fasulo
Team Members: Christopher O’Brien, Peter Oliveri

Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC) / American Association for Justice (March 20 – March 23, 2014)
Coach: Prof. John Meringolo
Team Members: Arthur Muller, Mike Andreani, Nicole Gard, Alexandra Ashmont

John L. Costello National Criminal Law Competition // George Mason University School of Law (February 6 – February 9, 2014)
Coach: Jason Herman, Esq.
Team Members: Alyson Kuritzky, Levi Glick, Michelle Piantadosi

National Pre-Trial Competition // Stetson Law (October 10 – October 13, 2013)
Coach: Jason Herman, Esq.
Team Members: Kasey Parente, Lauren Creegan, Levi Glick, Jack Bingham

Peter James Johnson ’49 National Civil Rights Trial Competition (NCRC) // St. John’s School of Law (October 24 – October 27, 2013)
Coach: Sheila Gabay, Esq.
Team Members: Jessica Piperis, Boris Shapotkin, Jessica Ingersoll, Chris Berengieri

Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (ETAC) (April 5 – April 6, 2014)
Coach: Profs. Keith Sullivan and Louis Fasulo
Team Members: Christopher O’Brien, Matthew Pellegrine, Nicole Murdoca, Erica Gilerman

ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) (February 20 – February 22, 2014)
Coach: Prof. James Castagna
Team Members: Edward Johannes, April Booker, C.J. Croll

ABA Client Counseling Competition (February 8 – February 9, 2014)
Coach: Stephanie Chow
Team Members: Jay Vyas, Levin Thomas, Danielle Meeks, Pooja Shah

ABA Law Student National Representation in Mediation Competition (February 22 – February 23, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Danielle Shalov
Team Members: Matt Trauner, Jessica Piperis, Michelle Rakebrand, John Darmino

ABA Arbitration Competition (November 16 – November 17, 2013)
Coach: Prof. John Meringolo
Team 1 Members: Arthur Muller, Mike Andreani, Nicole Gard, Alexandra Ashmont
Team 2 Members: Daniel Greco, Rich DePonto, Christopher Schweitzer, Peter Oliveri

ABA Negotiation Competition (November 16 – November 17, 2013)
Coach: Stephanie Chow
Team Members: J. Justin Woods, Rikki Bahar, Daniel Phillips, Ellen Liang, Jake Sher

International Environmental Moot Court Competition // Stetson Law (January 24 – January 26, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Matthew Brotmann
Team Members: Charter Williams, Ellen Zhang, Megan Hopper-Rebegea

St. John’s Securities Dispute Resolution Triathlon (October 19 – October 20, 2013)
Coach: Prof. Elissa Germaine
Team Members: Crystal Green, Jaclyn Weissgerber, Jeffrey Peters

National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition // West Virginia University College of Law (March 27 – March 29, 2014)
Coach: Andrea Cerbin, Esq.
Team Members: Mike Dicato, Ellen Liang, Levan Thomas, Andrea Rodricks, Ellen Zhang (Student Coach)

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (February 13 – February 16, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Lucie Olejnikova
Team Members: Ann Bermont, Bianca Francois, Rocky Boussias, Kiersten Schramek

Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (March 28 – April 7, 2014 (East); April 12 – April 15, 2014 (Vienna))
Coaches: Profs. Vikki Rogers and Linda Wayner, and Genavieve Shingle, Esq., Bryn Fuller, Esq.
Team 1 Members: David Calvello, Kristen Carroll, Justin Pifer, Christina Riggio
Team 2 Members: Megan Harney, Faiza Jamil, Hilary Atzrott

International Criminal Moot Court Competition (March 7 – March 9, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Peter Widulski
Team Members: Amanda Ibrahim, Patrick Dowdle, Alexandra Ashmont, Catherine Peña, Richard DePonto

Thurgood A. Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition (March 27 – March 28, 2014)
Coach: LaWanda Geter, Esq.
Team Members: John Astarita, Joseph Fortunato

Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition // Brooklyn Law School (March 27 – March 29, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Peter Widulski
Team Members: Jonathan Alvarez, Christian McCarthy, Patrick Williams

National Moot Court // New York Bar (November 20 – November 21, 2013)
Coach: Prof. John Fullerton
Team Members: Nicole Murdocca, Matthew Pellegrine, Alena Eydlish

National Baseball Arbitration Competition // Tulane University Law School (January 22 – January 24, 2014)
Coach: Jared Hand, Esq.
Team Members: Dan Masi, Jesse Kantor, Jared Hand, Peter Naber

Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition // NBLSA (January 22 – January 26, 2014)
Coach: Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr.
Team Members: Michael Armstrong, Darilyn Octave

Immigration Law Moot Court // NYU Law (February 22 – February 24, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Vanessa Merton
Team Members: Katie Mendez, Seth Levy, Stephanie Ramos

National Trial Competition (February 6 – February 9, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Joel Seidemann
Team Members: Jack Bingham, Nicole Sosnowski, Christian McCarthy, Chris Berlingeri, Melissa Rodriguez, Jessica Ingersoll

ABA Labor Law Trial Advocacy Competition (November 23 – November 24, 2013)
Coach: Prof. James Castagna
Team Members: Danielle Koves, Stephen Cobb, Kee Han, Faiza Jamil

Share

2014 January Admits Show Off Their Advocacy Skills

$
0
0

Pace Law School hosted the Annual First Year Louis V. Fasulo Moot Court Competition for the January Start Class on July 9th and 10th, 2014. About 40 lawyers and judges participated as judges for the competition. The students were well prepared and the heat of the evening matched the heat of the competition courtrooms. The arguments were well reasoned, enthusiastically presented and persuasively delivered.

The students argued the merits of a criminal case People v. Gorman, authored by Prof. Peter Widulski, involving two issues: 1) sufficiency of evidence supporting jury charge of extreme emotional disturbance in a second degree murder trial and 2) sufficiency of judge’s instruction to cure alleged prejudice caused by the prosecutor’s inappropriate comments during her closing statement. Professors Tamar Gribetz, Lucie Olejnikova, Gail Whittemore and Peter Widulski guided the students and prepared them for their presentations. A great panel of experienced judges and attorneys peppered our students with a series of challenging questions and many of our alumni provided great insight to our 1Ls.

The camaraderie and the intensity of the students made it a stimulating competition. After Wednesday preliminary rounds, the top 16 students competed on Thursday in the quest for top oralist. Our congratulations go to top 16: Washington Alvarez, Christine Aziz, Michael Calabrese, John Carriel, Annettte Gershovich, Sophia Gregg, Perri Hom, Elen Krut, Timothy Martin, Margaret Obligin, Amy O’Donohue, Christina Romano, Westri Stalder. Garvey Turnier, Minika Udoko, and Charisma Wright.

After a competitive round of top 16, the following students moved on to the top 8: Michael Calabrese, John Carriel, Perri Hom, Margaret Obligin, Amy O’Donohue, Christina Romano, Garvey Turnier, and Charisma Wright. The top 8 students argued passionately and made it a difficult job for the judges to pick the four finalists.

imageNevertheless, the final four, John Carriel, Perri Hom, Christina Romano, and Charisma Wright made it and did a fabulous job giving the spectators an exciting final round. At the end, Charisma Wright took home the crown of Best Advocate and Christina Romano followed closely in a second place.

Special Thanks go to Loretta Musial, Professor Louis Fasulo, the 1L Legal Skills Writing and Research faculty for coming to support the students, Dean Yassky, Chartwell Food Services, the Moot Court Board including Catherine Peña, Kiersten Schramek, Arthur Muller, CJ Croll and our wonderful and committed volunteer judges.

Congratulations to Charisma Wright and Christina Romano on this great achievement!

The top 16 students are invited to take Advanced Appellate Advocacy (AAA) class in the Fall and should register as soon as possible. Students who did not advance but still have a strong interest in taking AAA class, may petition Professor Fasulo via email [lfasulo@law.pace.edu].

Share

Second Annual Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition

$
0
0

Pace Law School hosted its annual Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition on the weekend of March 28-29, 2015. Over 160 first year law students and over 100 Judges participated in this exciting event. The students argued the merits of a fictitious case Petrillo v. Rooks, No. 14-85FD (W.D. Ala. Nov. 17, 2014) at the fictitious Thirteenth Circuit – the subject of their 1L brief – concerning two issues:

  1. Whether Rev. Rooks was a servant or employee of the defendants (BMCC and Rev. Yun) acting within the scope of his employment when he persuaded Mrs. Petrillo (member of the church’s congregation) to invest in Rook’s private B&R business, or whether the defendants were negligent in hiring and supervising Rev. Rooks; and
  2. Whether, in any event, the litigation, adjudication, and potential award of any relief to Mrs. Petrillo would violate both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment, and thus precluding Mrs. Petrillo from recovery.

Professors Carol Barry, Alissa Bauer, Francis Carroll, Vicky Gannon, Tamar Gribetz, Lucie Olejnikova, Cynthia Pittson, Margaret R. Smith, Diane Webster, Gail Whittemore, and Peter Widulski worked with and guided the students throughout the spring semester in writing their first appellate brief and in their preparation for their first oral argument. The students were presented with challenging questions from great and lively panels of experienced Judges and attorneys.

The comradery and the intensity of the competition provided for a stimulating weekend. After Saturday’s preliminary rounds, the top 64 students advanced to the next round and argued on Sunday. Congratulations to the top 64: Matthew Arpino, Britny Auletti, Wojciech Balakier, Thomas Baroni, Emily Bendana, Desiree Berger, Christin Brown, Monica Calderon, Angelica Cancel, Nicholas Chabert, Amelia Christian, Leonard Cohen, Samantha Colon, Brianna Ciuffi, Thomas DeGrace, Deanna DiCaprio, Regina DiOrio, Alexandra Dobles, Robyn Downing, Brian Dwyer, Michael Fortini, Christina Fuhrman, Alyssa Fulginiti, Kathleen Fulton, Michael Giannini, Yelena Gordiyenko, Tyson Lord Gray, Andrew Gruna, Ashley Hausmann, Samantha Hazen, Hannah Hollingsworth, Kristin Jung, Bryan Kelly, Haseeb Khan, Luis Leon, Michael Liik, James Logan, Wilfredo Lopez, Alexander Lowell, Nicole Maguire, Sarah Main, Michael Manchester, Craig Manolas, Michael Marchman, Christopher McClain, Jordan Montoya, Michael Moore, Joseph Moravec, Adrienne Novak, Christina Oddo Andrea Oosgod, Daniela Parra, Rachel Partington, Kara Paulsen, Daniel Plaia, Melissa Reitberg, Richard Roman, Jeanine Ruggerio, Kevin Sheehan, Lisa Shiderly, Christopher Smith, Frank Smith, Benjamin Sonnenfeldt, Emily Svenson, Samantha Tooma, Shivani Trivedi, Alyse Velger, Eli Wagschal, Elizabeth Wanyo, and Kirsten Yerger.

The students argued well in the advanced rounds making it difficult for the Judges to choose the top 32. Nevertheless, the following are this year’s top 32: Christin Brown, Monica Calderon, Angelica Cancel, Briana Ciuffi, Leonard Cohen, Regina DiOrio, Robyn Downing, Michael Fortini, Alyssa Fulginiti, Yelena Gordiyenko, Tyson Lord Gray, James Logan, Wilfredo Lopez, Alexander Lowell, Nicole Maguire, Sara Main, Michael Manchester, Craig Manolas, Christopher McClain, Andrea Osgood, Kara Paulsen, Daniel Plaia, Melissa Reitberg, Richard Roman, Jeanine Ruggerio, Lisa Shiderly, Benjamin Sonnenfeldt, Shivani Trivedi, Alyse Velger, Eli Wagschal, Elizabeth Wanyo, and Kristin Yerger.

1L spring2015 top8 CP1The top 32 argued very well making it challenging for the Judges to pick the top 8. However, Monica Calderon, Angelica Cancel, Tyson Lord Gray, James Logan, Wilfredo Lopez, Christopher McClain, Andrea Osgood, and Kristin Yerger rightfully earned their spot in the top 8 final round.

The final eight students did a superb job in the final round making it an exciting event for the Judges and the spectators. Kristin Yerger won the competition as Best Advocate and received a $1000 Pieper Bar Review Certificate; Tyson Lord Gray placed second receiving an $800 Pieper Bar Review Certificate; and Christopher McClain won third place receiving a $500 Pieper Bar Review Certificate.

Special Thanks to Loretta Musial, Prof. Louis V. Fasulo, the Judges, the 1L Legal Skills Professors for their work with the first year class and for coming to support the students at this event, Pieper Bar Review for donating the first, second, and third gift certificates prizes, Dean David Yassky, Chartwell Food Services for providing refreshments throughout the day, and the members of the Moot Court Honor Board, including Cassandra Castellano, CJ Croll, Bianca Francois, Arthur Miller, Catherine Peña, Andrea Rodricks, and Michael Pesin-Virovets, among others, who once again put on an excellent event.

Congratulations to Kristin Yerger, Tyson Lord Gray, Christopher McClain and James Logan on this wonderful achievement!

Share

2014-2015 Year in Review: Pace Law Students Are Demonstrating Oral Advocacy Skills

$
0
0

The oral advocacy program at Pace Law School is a robust one as students have the opportunity to learn and practice oral advocacy skills by participating in the mock trial advocacy and the moot court competitions. Oral advocacy education is a critical addition to the traditional classroom learning emphasizing the value of preparation, hard work, and collaboration. It is an intense learning experience which instills great confidence in our students. During the 2014-2015 academic year, Pace law students participated in a total of 29 trial and moot court competitions in the areas of criminal law, civil rights, constitutional law, immigration law, labor law, client counseling, mediation, arbitration, negotiations, international environmental law, securities dispute resolution, energy and sustainability, international public law, international commercial arbitration, international criminal law, evidence, baseball arbitration, sports law, voir dire skills, trial skills, appellate advocacy skills, and more. Congratulations Teams and Coaches on a job well done! Special thanks goes to the Director of the Pace Oral Advocacy Skills Program, Prof. Louis V. Fasulo, the Pace Moot Court BoardMs. Loretta Musial, the administrative assistant, and all the coaches!

Mock trial competitions Pace law students participated in during 2014-2015 academic year:

National Sports Law Negotiation Competition // Thomas Jefferson School of Law (September 19-21, 2014) Sports Law Negotiation
Coach: Jared Hand, Esq.
Team Members: John Darminio (3L), Eddie Johannes (3L), Jesse Kantor (3L), Max Spaeth (3L)
The competition involved three different negotiations sports law fact patterns: 1) Preserving Torrey Pines; 2) Behind the Mask; and 3) Serving up Supplements, which involved an athlete’s use of supplements potentially leading to a failed PED test.

Stetson National Pre-Trial Competition // Stetson School of Law (October 16-19, 2014) Stetson National Pre Trial
Coach: Prof. Eylan Schulman
Team Members: Cassandra Castellano (2L), Malini Dhanraj (2L), Catherine Peña (3L), Ancy Thomas (2L)
The competition involved a problem dealing with a plaintiff’s termination as a result of her exercise of her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act to care for her mother, who was undergoing cancer treatment.

In Vino Veritas Golden Gate Mock Trial Competition // Golden Gate Law School (October 23-26, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Keith Sullivan
Team Members: Arthur Muller (3L), Vittoria Fiorenza (2L), Kiera Fitzpatrick (3L), Alex Zugaro (3L)
The competition involved a criminal case of the United States of America v. Kelly Tipple Barrett, dealing with a scheme to defraud dozens of victims by siphoning cash from the equity in their homes, where the defendant was charged with eight counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. sec. 1343 and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. sec. 1028A.

St. John’s National Civil Rights Trial Competition // St. John’s University School of Law (October 23-26, 2014)
Coach: Hon. Alexander Hunter
Team Members: April Booker (3L), Fationa Mamo (3L), Mathieu Reno (3L), Brittany Richardson (2L)
The competition titled “A Valentine’s Day Wedding” involved a claim by Plaintiff alleging that the defendant denied him/her full and equal accommodations/facilities/services because of his/her sexual orientation.

Judge Paul Joseph Kelly, Jr. Invitational Trial Competition // Fordham University School of Law (October 25-26, 2014).
Team Members: Joseph Fortunato (3L), Sameer Ponkshe (3L)
In this year’s competition titled United States v. Rishi Ramnarain the defendant was charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

ABA Negotiation Competition // ABA, Long Island, NY (November 9-10, 2014)
Coach: Stephanie Chow
Team Members: Alex Cirocco (2L), Patrick Lanciotti (2L), Tatiana Rugel (2L), Albert Vetere (2L)
The competitors negotiated a series of legal problems in simulations consisting of a common set of facts known by all participants and separate confidential information known only to each side’s representatives. All simulations deal with the same general topic, but the negotiation situation varies by round and level.

Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition // SUNY Buffalo Law School (November 6-11, 2014) Buffalo Niagara
Coach: Prof. Saad Siddiqui
Team Members: Zach Benoit (2L), Michael Pesin (2L), Debbie Robbins (3L), Hanna Shoshany (3L)
The competition involved a defendant, Melbourne G. Drysdale (Mayor of Buffalo Niagara) who was charged with second degree conspiracy to commit assault/attempted murder of Jean Hathaway (Council President of Buffalo Niagara) in the midst of a highly contented political race (Drysdale ran for the fourth time while Hathaway ran to be the first female mayor). Drysdale allegedly intended to secure the victim’s cell phone because the victim threatened to publicly disclose incriminating photos of Drysdale dressed as a woman.

ABA Labor Law // New York, NY (November 22-23, 2014) ABA Labor Law
Coach: Prof. John Meringolo
Team Members: Michael Chiaramone (2L), Michael Giordano (2L), Samantha Osgood (2L), Victoria Wagnerman (2L)
John Astarita (3L), Peter Garcia (2L), Marissa Koerner (2L), Sarah Lusk (2L)
The competition involved a lawsuit by two employees (dancers) seeking compensation and alleging they were employees rather than independent contractors and thus it was unlawful for the owner of the club to charge them money for working in the club.

National Baseball Arbitration Competition // Tulane University Law School (January 29-31, 2015)
Coach: Jared Hand, Esq. & Daniel Masi
Team Members: John Darminio (3L), Jesse Kantor (3L), Steven Stieglitz (3L)
The National Baseball Arbitration Competition is a simulated salary arbitration competition modeled closely on the procedures used by Major League Baseball (MLB). Competitors were assigned three players to argue for or against their requested salaries.

National Black Law Student Association Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition // Connecticut, NY (January 29-31, 2015) image
Coach: Hon. Alexander Hunter
Team Members: Michael Armstrong (3L), Bianca Olliver (2L), Brittany Richardson (2L), Sean Sykes (2L)
The competition involved a defamation case where the plaintiff, Aaron Ahmed Abdullah, alleged losing a presidential race as a result of racist remarks made by the current president on Twitter. Pace team advanced to the semi-final round!

National Trial Competition // Syracuse University School of Law (January 30-31, 2015)
Coach: Joel Seidemann
Team Members: Luis Felix (3L), Joseph Fortunato (3L), Kenyon Griffin (3L), Matt Reno (3L)
The competition involved a case of People of the State of Lone Star v. Peter Paul Seeger, in which the defendant was charged with first degree assault and domestic violence for seriously injuring the victim and long time intimate companion, Adriana Testa, with a hammer.

John L. Costello National Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition // George Mason University School of Law (February 5-8, 2015)
Coach: Joseph Servino, Esq.
Team Members: Zach Benoit (2L), Malini Dhanraj (2L), Sam Nath (3L)
The competition involved a case of Commonwealth of Virginia v. Delphine Fisher, where the defendant was charged with murder in the first degree, and accused of killing her husband, Harry Fisher, by setting fire to the house where he was sleeping.

Pace Law School Round Robin Mock Trial Competition // Pace Law School, NY (February 6-7, 2015) Round Robin
Coach: Prof. Keri Gould
Team Members: Paul Cirner (2L), Vittoria Fiorenza (2L), Debbie Robbins (3L), Max Spaeth (3L)
This first annual internal mock trial competition welcomed four schools to participate in the competition involving a case of State v. Ravine, in which the defendant raised the defense of battered women syndrome. Vittoria Fiorenza of Pace won Best Prosecution Advocate Award.

ABA Client Counseling Competition // Brooklyn, NY (February 20-21, 2015)
Coach: Stephanie Chow
Team Members: Rana Marie Abihabib (2L), Malini Dhanraj (2L), Catherine Papandrew (2L), Levan Thomas (3L)
The competition involves different client matters in each round allowing competitors to develop interviewing, planning, and analytical skills in the lawyer-client relationship. The competition focuses on promoting greater knowledge and interest in the preventive law and counseling functions of law practice.

Queens County District Attorney Mock Trial Competition // Queens, NY (March 7-8, 2015)
Coach: Joseph Servino, Esq.
Team Members: Michael Chiaramonte (2L), Vittoria Fiorenza (2L), Hanna Shoshany (3L), Victoria Wagnerman (2L)
The competition involved a criminal case of People v. Jay Gurley, where the defendant was charged with first degree murder and accussed of shooting and killing Ruby Brown with a pistol.

Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition // Estrella, LLC in San Juan, Puerto Rico (March 7-8, 2015)
Coaches: Prof. Louis V. Fasulo & Prof. Keith Sullivan
Team Members: Kiera Fitzpatrick (3L), Michael Giordano (2L), Catherine Peña (3L), Sameer Ponkshe (3L)
The competition involved a civil law suit alleging negligence after a summon-wrestling competition went wrong, exploring issues of agency, scope of employment, and assumption of risk.

Show Me Challenge National Voir Dire Tournament // University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (April 9-11, 2015)
Coach: Prof. Eylan Schulman
Team Members: Graham Chapman (3L), Alex Cumella (3L), Courtney Schneider (3L)
The competition involved a wrongful death law suit in which the mother of the victim alleged that her son died as a result of being mistreated by police officers who tasered him multiple times and physically restrained him while in custody causing him to suffer a cardiac arrest.

Moot court competitions Pace law students participated in during 2014-2015 academic year:

National Latina/o Law Student Association Moot Court Competition (September 18-19, 2014) NLALSA1
Team Members: Brielle Emhof (2L), Marissa Koerner (3L), Julisa Medina (3L)
The competition involved an issue of whether a city’s residency ordinance, requiring city employees to regulate residency in the state based on immigration status and prohibiting landlords from renting to undocumented individual, was preempted under the “regulation of immigration.”

National Moot Court Competition // New York City Bar (November 19-20, 2014)
Coach: Prof. Josh Scheier
Team Members: Donato Callara (3L), CJ Croll (3L), Annmarie Stepancic (3L)
The students chosen to participate in this competition are the top three students from the grand moot competition. The competition involved a case of Bolton Chemists Corp. et al.  v. Starke Pharm., Ltd., exploring the issues of preemtory srikes based on perceived sexual orientation and the Sherman Acts reach over foreign anti-competitive conduct that shares a reasonable causal nexus with domestic effects.

International Environmental Moot Court Competition // Stetson Law (February 6-8, 2015)
Coach: Prof. Matthew Brotmann
Team Members: Steven Lapkoff (2L), Kelly Nishikawa (3L), Charter Williams (3L)
The competition involved shark finning and trade restrictions issues in which a fictional State of Alopias violated international law because its nationals continued the practice of finning and spinning of mako sharks within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, and whether the fictional republic of Rhincodon violated international law by banning the importation of fish and fish products from the States of Alopias as a result of the questionable practice. Charter Williams of Pace received an award as Best Oralist in the preliminary rounds.

National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) // Brooklyn, NY (February 19-21, 2015)
Coach: Prof. Jennifer Arlin
Team Members: Brielle Emhof (2L), Meredith Gabay (2L), Eve Lincoln (2L)
The competition involved an appeal in an employment discrimination lawsuit brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 of Chuck Duncan v. Bigmart, Inc., in which the issues dealt with the review of  motion to dismiss after the jury verdict and the applicable standard for measuring the sufficiency of a complaint asserting private 
employment discrimination. Eve Lincoln of Pace received an oralist recognition.

Immigration Law Competition // NYU Law (February 20-22, 2015) Immigration Law
Coach: Prof. Vanessa Merton
Team Members: Washington Paul Alvarez (2L), Esma Onal (3L)
The Immigration Law Competition focuses on the latest immigration law issues. The competition involved an issue of whether federal immigration law preempts a city immigration law related ordinance, and whether Federal District Court has subject matter jurisdiction to review de novo a denial of naturalization application and grant declaratory relief once removal proceedings have begun.

Animal Rights Law Moot Competition // Lewis & Clark Law School (February 27 – March 1,  2015)
Coach: Mary A. Liebowitz & Dhara Patel
Team Members: Brad Landau (2L), Andrea Rodricks (3L)
The competition involved the issue of unconstitutionality of a fictitious statute, the Meat Eater’s Right to Know Act (MERK Act), which required slaughter plants to capture video in all locations where animals are kept. The problem included a challenge to the act by the American Slaughterhouse Association under both the First and Fourth Amendments.

National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition // West Virginia University College of Law (March 12-14, 2-15)
Coach: Prof. Karl Rabago and John Bowie
Team Members: Rafael Corbalan (3L), Levan Thomas (3L)
The competition involved two issues: whether a particular midstream gas provider could be considered a public utility; and whether there was sufficient evidence in the Army Corps of Engineers’ record to uphold a jurisdictional determination of wetlands and deny a permit needed to construct a pipeline.

International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition Regional Round // Pace Law School, NY (March 20-21, 2015) ICC2015
Coach: Prof. Peter Widulski
Team Members: Nina Lee (2L), Brittany Patane (2L), Luis Rodriguez (2L), Ancy Thomas (2L), Anthony Ortiz (2L)
The competition titled Situation in Astafur, involved four issues: whether Astafur was competent to make an Article 12(3) Declaration, triggering the jurisdiction of the Court over war crimes committed in Pantos, despite its lack of effective control over the territory of Pantos at the time of submission of the Declaration; whether the Court had jurisdiction under the objective territorial principle over crimes committed by a Non-Party State (Braanos) via cyberspace that have an effect in a State (Astafur) that has lodged an Article 12(3) Declaration; whether the widespread disruption of communications and electricity during a revolt against the government of Astafur via a DDS attack constituted a war crime; and whether there should be two different victims’ legal teams under separate Victims’ Legal Representatives in this case because one portion of the victims supported secession and the other favored remaining part of Astafur.

Prince Evidence Competition // Brooklyn Law School (March 26-28, 2015)
Coach: Prof. Peter Widulski
Team Members: Marina Gubenko (2L), Jaclyn Halk (2L), Cassandra Papandrew (2L)
The competition involved an appeal to the US Supreme Court in the case of John Habib v. United States, exploring FRE 702 (expert psychiatric testimony regarding he credibility of a witness); the applicability of the Fifth Amendment privilege against compelled self-incrimination to the production of corporate documents in the possession of the defendant; and the qualification of statements as evincing religious bias made by jurors during deliberations as extraneous prejudicial information under FRE 606(b)(2)(A) and whether said statements deprived the defendant of his Sixth Amendment rights to a fair trial and an impartial jury.

Thurgood Marshall Federal Bar Memorial Moot Competition // Federal Bar Association, Washington DC (March 26-27, 2015)
Coach: Prof. John Meringolo
Team Members: John Astarita (3L), Joseph Fortunato (3L), Ashley Kersting (2L), Jacob Sher (2L)
The competition involved a criminal case of Kenny Bearson, a defendant who challenged police’s authorization to conduct search and seizure of his home under the Fourth Amendment and the admissibility of a third-party confession under the Sixth Amendment.

Jessup International Moot Court Competition // Shearman & Sterling, LLP, NY (February 12-15, 2015) Jessup small
Coach: Prof. Lucie Olejnikova
Team Members: Cassandra Castellano (2L), Bianca François (3L), Eileen Henry (2L), Michael Pesin (2L), Susi Yanez (2L)
The competition involved a case of Agnostica v. Reverentia, in which students explored the issues of treaty interpretation involving alleged breach of bilateral trade treaty, lawfulness of holding a referendum to secede, lawfulness of secession and subsequent annexation, and the removal of property as a result of the allegedly breached bilateral treaty.

Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot // Vienna, Austria (March 28 – April 2, 2015)
Coaches: Bryn Fuller, Esq. & Prof. Linda Wayner
Team Members: CJ Croll (3L), Brianne Cunningham (2L), Seham Elmalak (3L), Sara Girgis (2L)
The competition involved a case of Vulcan Coltan Ltd. v. Mediterraneo Mining SOE, in which the buyer, Vulcan Coltan Ltd. and the seller, Mediterraneo Mining entered into a contract for the sale of Coltan, a rare mineral. The competitors dealt with procedural and substantive issues:  the controversial application of the CISG to contracts formed in a commodity market; and whether a third party (a parent company in this case) can be forced into arbitration proceedings and whether the Emergency Arbitrator’s order had merit. The Pace team advanced to the top 32 round.

Share


2015 January 1Ls Argued in their Moot Court Competition

$
0
0

POST WRITTEN BY: Cassandra Castellano (J.D. expected ’17, Pace Law School) & Lucie Olejnikova

Pace Law School hosted its Annual Louis V. Fasulo Moot Court Competition for the 2015 January Class on July 8, 2015. About 40 lawyers and judges participated in judging this exciting competition. The students were prepared and delivered an exciting evening of well-reasoned and persuasively delivered legal arguments.

The students argued the merits of the case of People v. Foster, No. 1423-15 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co. Apr. 15, 2015), authored by Professor Peter Widulski. Professors Vicky Gannon, Tamar Gribetz, Gail Whittemore, and Peter Widulski worked with the students throughout their summer semester and prepared them for their presentations. The panels of judges, many of whom were Pace alumni, challenged our students with great line of questioning. Our students rose to the occasion and received high praises and great feedback from the judges.

top16croppedThe comradery, intensity, and enthusiasm of the students provided for a wonderful competition. After the preliminary rounds, the top 15 students - Chanel Clinton, Stephanie Correa, Gianna Del Grippo, Katherine Ehrlich, Steven Filosa, Justin Grant, Brittany Hanley, Patricia Lam, Vito Marzano, Jonathan Poling, Daniel Rodriguez, Dennis Salzbrunn, Conor Strong, Mark Uzorka and Scott Wenzel - competed for top oralist. As the evening moved on, Katherine Ehrlich, Steven Filosa, Justin Grant, Vito Marzano, Daniel Rodriguez, Conor Strong, Mark Uzorka and Scott Wenzel met head to head in an exciting top 8 semi-final round, making it a difficult job for the judges to pick the finalists.

top4smallVito Marzano, Conor Strong, Mark Uzorka and Scott Wenzel prevailed and earned their spot in top 4. Vito Marzano won the overall competition as Best Advocate, Conor Strong won second place and Mark Uzorka won third place. All three students received generous Pieper Bar Review gift certificates, as an acknowledgement of their accomplishment.

Thank you to Loretta Musial, Prof. Louis Fasulo, Catherine Peña (’15), the 1L Legal Skills Writing and Research faculty for preparing and supporting the students, Dean Yassky, Chartwell Food Services and of course our volunteer judges. Special thanks also to the Advocacy Honor Board for running the competition: Cassandra Castellano, Brianne Cunningham, Washington Paul Alvarez, Vittoria Fiorenza, Michael Giordano, Hanna Shoshany and Michael Pesin-Virovets.

Congratulations to Vito Marzano, Conor Strong, Mark Uzorka, and Scott Wenzel on this wonderful achievement! 

Share

Congratulations to the Pace 2015 Pretrial Competition Team!!

$
0
0

Our CongrPretrial2atulations go to the Pace 2015 Pretrial Competition Team that competed in the Eighth Annual, National Pretrial Advocacy Competition in Gulfport, Florida, October 9-11. The competition was established by Stetson University College of Law. This year’s competition problem involved a dispute between the plaintiff, an athletic apparel company, and the defendant, an investigative journalist, who wrote a slanderous report about the company. Malini Dhanraj (3L), Ashley Kersting (3L), Eve Lincoln (3L), and Elizabeth Wanyo (2L) represented Pace Law School at the competition. Malini and Elizabeth represented the plaintiff, Over-Armor, Inc. Ashley and Eve represented the defendant, journalist Nellie Kickwood. The team was coached by Pace Law Professor Eylan Schulman.

In the first round, Pace faced off against Chapman University School of Law. Later that afternoon in the second round, Pace competed against Nova Southeastern University College of Law. Next day in the third round, Pace competed against the host school, Stetson University College of Law. Competition judges then made a tough cut from 16 teams to only 4 teams that would advance to final rounds. The team and Coach Schulman proudly represented Pace Law School in this competition.

Congratulations to Malini, Ashley, Eve and Elizabeth on a strong performance!

Share

Congratulations to the Pace 2015 Puerto Rican Bar Association Moot Court Team

$
0
0

Our Congratulations go to the Pace 2015 Puerto Rican Bar Association Moot Court team that placed second overall at the Northeast Regional of the Fourth Annual National PuertPRBA Team 2 2015o Rican Bar Association (PRBA) Moot Court Competition.  The team competed in the Northeast Regional along with other New York Law schools in Bronx, New York. The competition was established by the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, New York, Illinois and Puerto Rico. This year’s regional competition problem involved the constitutionality of the Recovery Act-legislation meant to address the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. Angelica Cancel (2L), Jordan Montoya (2L) and Richard Roman (2L) represented Pace Law School at the competition. Angelica, Jordan and Richard represented both the Petitioner, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Respondent, Mr. Enrique Guerra Pujol in the competition. The team was coached by the Honorable Judge Sharon Aarons.

In the first round, Pace faced off against St. John’s Law School. Pace advanced to the second round along with Touro Law School. A special congratulation goes out to Angelica Cancel (2L) for receiving the Best Oral Advocate Award of the competition.

The team and coach were honored to represent Pace Law School in this competition and look forward to representing the school again in the final round. The final round will be held in Orlando, Florida over the weekend of October 30, 2015.

Congratulations to Angelica, Jordan and Richard on a great performance!

PRBA Team 2015

Share

The Pace 2015 Puerto Rican Bar Association Moot Court Team Places First Overall!

$
0
0

Our Congratulations go to the Pace 2015 Puerto Rican Bar Association Moot Court team that placed first overall at the finals of the Fourth Annual National Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA FinalsPRBA) Moot Court Competition.  The team placed second in the Northeast Regional and advanced to the finals that took place in Orlando, Florida. A special congratulations goes out to Angelica Cancel (2L) for receiving the Best Oral Advocate Award of the Northwest Regional competition. The competition was established by the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, New York, Illinois and Puerto Rico. This year’s competition problem involved the constitutionality of the Recovery Act-legislation meant to address the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. Angelica Cancel (2L), Jordan Montoya (2L) and Richard Roman (2L) represented Pace Law School at the competition. Angelica, Jordan and Richard represented both the Petitioner, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Respondent, Mr. Enrique Guerra Pujol in the competition. The team was coached by the Honorable Judge Sharon Aarons.

In the first roPRBA 11_2015und, Pace faced off against Northwestern Law School (Team #1). Pace advanced to the second round along with Northwestern Law School (Team #2).

The team and coach were honored to represent Pace Law School in this competition and bring home the first place trophy!

Congratulations to Angelica, Jordan and Richard on a great performance!

Share

Congratulations to the 2016 Pace Jessup Team!

$
0
0

Our congratulations go to the 2016 Pace Jessup Team that competed in the 57th annual Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition Northeast Regional Round. The team competed on February 5-6, 2016 in New York City at Shearman & Sterling, LLP.

This year’s competition involved the case concerning the Frost files (Amestonia v. Riesland). The team grappled with issues concerning the admissibility of illicitly obtained documents leaked to a newspaper, the legality of foreign surveillance in the context of international rights to privacy, detention under suspicion of endorsing actions of a terrorist group, and the attribution of cyberattacks.

Michael Pesin-Virovets (3L), Katherine Ehrlich (2L), Wilfredo Lopez (2L), and Jake Sher (3L), represented Pace Law School at the competition. The team was coached by Kathryn Sullivan.

The team competed along with twenty-one other schools in the Northeast Regional Round and faced Jessup powerhouses such as Harvard and Columbia.

The team would like to thank Professor Tom McDonnell and Professor Peter Widulksi for helping the team in their preparation for the competition. Special congratulations to Kathryn Sullivan for her first year coaching the Jessup team!

2016 Pace Jessup1

Share

Pace 2016 International Environmental Moot Court Competition Team Advances to the International Rounds!

$
0
0

Our CongratIEMC 2016 Team Photo3ulations go out to the Pace 2016 International Environmental Moot Court Competition team that placed as a top 2 finalist in the North American Regional Round, February 19-21 in Washington D.C. The team will advance to compete in the International Rounds in Gulfport, Florida this April 13-16!

The competition is hosted annually by Stetson University College of Law. This year’s competition problem involved a dispute submitted before the International Court of Justice, concerning the illegal trafficking of cultural property.

Conor Strong (2L), James Patrick Logan (2L) and Leigh Wellington (2L) proudly represented Pace Law School at the competition. The team was under the direction of Cassandra Castellano (3L).

During Saturday’s three preliminary rounds, Pace won 2 out of 3 arguments and advanced to Sunday’s semi-final round, where they won against the number one ranked team of the competition. The team then advanced to Sunday’s final round, where they placed as top 2 finalist of the North American Regional Round, and will advance to the International Rounds this April!

The team was honored to represent Pace Law School and bring home three awards. Patrick Logan (2L) received an award for 2nd place oralist of the preliminary rounds, and another award for best oralist of the final round.   

IEMC 2016 Team Photo 2

Congratulations Conor, Patrick and Leigh on their outstanding performance. We are excited to see them compete against the top teams of the world during the international rounds!

Share

Congratulations to the Pace 2016 National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team!

$
0
0

OurNAAC Team Photo 1 Congratulations go to the Pace 2016 National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team that competed at the National Appellate Advocacy Competition. The competition was held February 18-20, 2016 at the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. It was hosted by the American Bar Association, Law Student Division.

This year’s competition problem involved a police officer who was charged with a federal hate crime. Sharleen Bailon, Jaimie Boyd, Thomas DeGrace, Eve Lincoln, Vito Marzano, and Eli Wagschal represented Pace Law School at the competition in two separate teams. The teams represented the Petitioner United States and the Respondent Police Officer Billy Roy Campbell.  The teams were coached by Adjunct Professor Tamar Gribetz.  The Moot Court Board Supervisor was Michael Pesin-Virovets.

The team and coach were honored to represent Pace Law School in this competition.

Congratulations to Sharleen, Jaimie, Thomas, Eve, Vito, and Eli!

Share


Pace Law School Annual Grand Moot Court Competition

$
0
0

POST WRITTEN BY: Cassandra Castellano (J.D. candidate 2013-2017, Pace Law School)

Pace Law School hosted its annual Grand Moot Court Competition this past Thursday, March 31, 2016. The four finalists of the Grand Moot Court Semi-Final Competition, Sarah Main, Alex Lowell, Samantha Hazen and Andrea Osgood, argued before prestigious U.S. District Court Judges: The Honorable Loretta A. Preska, The Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald, The Honorable Jed S. Rakoff, The Honorable Cathy Seibel and U.S. Magistrate Judge, The Honorable Judith C. McCarthy.

Grand Moot 2016 2

The students argued the merits of a fictitious case Brendan Smith v. Luis Peralta, concerning two constitutional issues:

1. Whether subjective malice is one of the elements of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 malicious prosecution claim based on the Fourth Amendment; and

2. Whether Peralta was the subject of an unreasonable seizure that lacked probable cause for purposes of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 malicious prosecution claim based on the Fourth Amendment.

The class, Advanced Appellate Advocacy, is under the direction of Professor Louis Fasulo, coordinated by Professor Alissa Bauer and supported by the team of Professors Jennifer Arlin, Elyse Moskowitz and Danielle Shalov.  The Professors guided the students throughout the fall semester in writing their appellate briefs and preparing for oral arguments. The students were presented with challenging questions from a challenging bench of Judges.

Grand Moot 2016 3

The Gerber Glass Courtroom was packed with observers eager to watch the arguments, followed by a wonderful reception in the Tudor Room.

Congratulations to the competitors! Sarah Main received the award for Best Advocate and Andrea Osgood received the award for Best Brief.

Sarah Main, Alex Lowell and Samantha Hazen, will now move on to compete in the New York City Bar’s National Moot Court Competition. Andrea Osgood, will compete at the Dean Jerome Prince Evidence Moot Court Competition.

Special thanks to: Advocacy Administrator Loretta Musial, Advocacy Program Director and Professor Louis V. Fasulo, the guest Judges, the Advanced Appellate Advocacy Professors for their work with the class and for supporting the students at this event, Dean David Yassky, Chartwell Food Services for providing refreshments throughout the day, the 1L class for supporting the event, Pace Law Advocacy Honor Board Directors: Cassandra Castellano, Brianne Cunningham, Vittoria Fiorenza, Michael Giordano, W. Paul Alvarez and Michael Pesin-Virovets, along with the Board Members who all once again managed an excellent competition.

Congratulations to Sarah Main, Alex Lowell, Samantha Hazen and Andrea Osgood on this impressive achievement! We look forward to following your competitions next Spring!​

Share

Third Annual Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition

$
0
0

POST WRITTEN BY: Cassandra Castellano (J.D. Candidate 2013-2017, Pace Law School)

Pace Law School hosted its Third Annual Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition this past weekend April 9-10, 2016. 160 first year law students argued before over 80 judges, including many Pace Alumni. The students argued the merits of a fictitious case Coburn v. Martinez before the fictitious Thirteenth Circuit, in an appeal from an order of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Tennessee. The Court dismissed a diversity action below for lack of personal jurisdiction. The plaintiff Mary Jo Coburn, a citizen of Tennessee, sued for injunctive relief against the defendant, Wally Martinez, a New York Journalist.

The case of Coburn v. Martinez, the subject of their 1L brief, concerned two issues:

  1. Whether Martinez was validly served with process in Tennessee so that the District Court had personal jurisdiction based on presence; and
  2. Whether the District Court had personal jurisdiction based on Martinez’s minimum contacts with Tennessee.

Professors Barbara Atwell, Carol Barry, Alissa Bauer, Francis Carroll, Linda Fentiman, Vicky Gannon, Tamar Gribetz, Cynthia Pittson, Gail Whittemore, and Peter Widulski worked with and guided the students throughout the spring semester in writing their first appellate brief and in their preparation for their first oral argument. The students were presented with challenging questions from great and lively panels of experienced judges and attorneys.

The comradery and intensity of the competition provided for a stimulating weekend. After Saturday’s preliminary rounds, the top 71 students advanced to the next round and argued on Sunday. Congratulations to the top 71:  Andrew Restivo, Andrew Tadrous, Aris Rotella, Ashley Brimm, Ashley Ratcliffe, Brenna Fitzpatrick, Brizeyda Parada, Casandia Bellevue, Caysee Kamenetsky, Chanel Noblin, Christian Radoi, Christina Desrosiers, Christopher Cech, Christopher Matcovich, Christopher Peticca, Christopher Zamlout, Courtney Dunn, Crystal Dilone, Danielle Meyer, Danny Amaisse, David Solimeno, Delonie Plummer, Dylan Rupp, Emily Rawdon, Eric Romanowski, Erin Novak, Estelle Mitchell, Gloria Okirie, Howard Schilsky, Jaclene Troisi, James Creech, James Greer, Jared Shababb, Justin Martinez, Justin Verzillo, Katelyn Squicciarani, Kevin Bazur, Kristyn Francese, Lisa Lazzaro, Luke Sostarecz, Lydia Rainey, Mackenzie Ferguson, Marina Stinely, Mary Kerrigan, Matthew Sotomayor, Melissa Duque, Michael Jasper, Michael Saba, Michael Viteritto, Michelle Greene, Natalie DeRyder, Nicholas Douglas, Nicolas Salviano, Nicole Boeckle, Nicolette Pellegrino, Ollia Pappas, Quinn McLoughlin, Rachel Baughman, Rachel Kesten, Rebecca King, Rosella Morabito, Roshni Mody, Ryan Memoli, Sara Aronbayev, Sarah Cinquemani, Sarah Sachmer, Thomas Persico, Tiffany Jacobsen, Timothy Henesy, Tyler Martin and Valentina Scirica.

The students argued well in Sunday’s advanced rounds making it difficult for the judges to choose the top 32. Nevertheless, the following are this year’s top 32: Ashley Ratcliffe, Chanel Noblin, Christian Radoi, Christina Desrosiers, Christopher Cech, Christopher Matcovich, Christopher Zamlout, Courtney Dunn, Danielle Meyer, Danny Amaisse, Delonie Plummer, Emily Rawdon, Erin Novak, Gloria Okirie, Howard Schilsky, Jaclene Troisi, James Creech, Kristyn Francese, Lisa Lazzaro, Lydia Rainey, Mackenzie Ferguson, Mary Kerrigan, Nicolas Salviano, Nicole Boeckle, Nicolette Pellegrino, Rachel Kesten, Rosella Morabito, Sara Aronbayev, Sarah Cinquemani, Sarah Sachmer, Tiffany Jacobsen, Valentina Scirica.

It was a challenge 1l moot 2for the judges to pick the top 8. However, Christopher Zamlout, Courtney Dunn, Danny Amaisse, Erin Novak, Gloria Okirie, Lydia Rainey, Mackenzie Ferguson and Sarah Cinquemani rightfully earned their spot in the top 8 final round.

The final eight students did a superb job in the final round making it an exciting event for the judges and the spectators. Mackenzie Ferguson won the competition as Best Advocate and received a $750 Themis Bar Review Certificate; Erin Novak placed second receiving a $500 Themis Bar Review Certificate; Courtney Dunn placed as the first runner-up receiving a $250 Themis Bar Review Certificate; Gloria Okirie placed as the second runner-up receiving a $250 Themis Bar Review Certificate.

Moot 1l_

Special Thanks to: Advocacy Administrator Loretta Musial, Director of Advocacy Programs and Professor Louis V. Fasulo, the judges, the 1L Legal Skills professors for their work with the first year class and for coming to support the students at this event, Themis Bar Review for donating the first, second, third and fourth gift certificates prizes, Dean David Yassky, Chartwell Food Services for providing refreshments throughout the day, the Advocacy Honor Board Directors and its Board, including Executive Director Cassandra Castellano, Managing Director Brianne Cunningham, External Competitions Directors Vittoria Fiorenza & Michael Giordano, Internal Competitions Director Washington Paul Alvarez and Skills Development Director Michael Pesin-Virovets, who managed the competition.

Congratulations to Mackenzie Ferguson, Erin Novak, Courtney Dunn and Gloria Okirie on this wonderful achievement!

Share

Congratulations to the Pace 2016 International Environmental Moot Court Competition Team

$
0
0

IEMC team shot 2Our congratulations go out to the Pace 2016 International Environmental Moot Court Competition team that competed in Stetson’s Twentieth Annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition this past weekend, April 14-16, in Gulfport, Florida.

The Pace team advanced to the International rounds in Florida after placing as a top 2 finalist in the North American Regional Round, February 19-21 in Washington D.C.

The competition is hosted annually by Stetson University College of Law. This year’s competition problem involved a dispute submitted before the International Court of Justice, concerning the illegal trafficking of cultural property.

Conor Strong (2L), James Patrick Logan (2L) and Leigh Wellington (2L) proudly represented Pace Law School at the competition. The team was under the direction of Cassandra Castellano (3L).

During Thursday’s first preliminary round, Pace competed against the Law Society of Ireland. During Friday’s second preliminary round, Pace competed against West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. Then in Friday’s third preliminary round, Pace competed against the National University of Singapore. Pace prevailed in the fourth preliminary round against Pontificia Universidad Javeriana of Colombia.

The team was honored to represent North America among the 17 other teams from around the globe in attendance at the International Rounds.

stetson group shot 2016

Congratulations Conor, Patrick and Leigh on their outstanding performance, and their dedication for the past eight months.

Share

Congratulations to the Pace Prince Evidence Team

$
0
0

Pace team members Robert Foster (3L) and Brian Byrne (3L) did an outstanding job at the prestigious Jerome Prince Evidence Moot Competition, which was held at Brooklyn Law School from Thursday, March 31st through Saturday, April 2nd. Rob and Brian wrote an excellent brief on three issues: whether police use of long-term cell phone geolocation data requires a warrant; whether an “ancient document” (a document at least 20 years old) is admissible per se or only if shown to possess indicia of reliability; and whether the admission of a testimonial dying declaration of the victim in a murder case should be recognized as an exception to a defendant’s right to the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause.

Rob and Brian advanced twice in the competition, at which 36 teams participated. The Pace team advanced first to the round of 16 teams and then again to the round of eight teams.

The team was ably assisted by Michael Pesin-Virovets (3L) and Wilfredo Lopez (2L).

Congrats to Rob and Brian on this excellent achievement!

Share

Pace Law School Competes in NYSBA/AAA Arbitration Competition

$
0
0

AAA 2016 team

Our congratulations go to the Pace 2016 New York State Bar Association/AAA Arbitration Competition team that competed on November 13-14, 2015 in New York City. Matthew Arpino (2L), Emily Bendana (2L), and Bryan Kelly (2L) represented Pace Law School. The team was coached by New York Attorney Jay Bielat.

This year the problem was a contract dispute between a pharmaceutical company and their storage and sales distributor. Both sides claimed the other had breached the contract. The team also argued violations of good faith and fair dealing and alter ego liability.

In the first round, Matt and Emily were co-counsel for the claimant and Brian was the client. The team competed against Cornell and won that round. In the second round, Brian and Emily were co-counsel for the respondent and Matt was the client. They competed against Buffalo Law School and won that round as well.

The team and coach were honored to represent Pace Law School in this competition.

Congratulations to Matt, Emily, and Bryan. ​

Share

Viewing all 27 articles
Browse latest View live