Two moot court teams from Belmont’s College of Law traveled to Brooklyn, NY in February to compete against nearly 200 teams across various regions in one of the most prestigious moot court competitions in the nation, the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition.
One of Belmont’s teams, consisting of third year law students Elizabeth Finnegan, Ben Tandy and Kealy Welage, claimed the title of regional finalist. Welage —a swing advocate who argued every round — earned a ninth-place individual advocate award. The team received a third place best brief award and went undefeated in the preliminary rounds, narrowly missing advancement to the next level after a rigorous final round. In October 2023, this same team won a national moot court championship at the Emory Civil Rights and Liberties Moot Court Competition.
Cate Farone, Samantha McCaleb, and Carli Tuttle made up Belmont’s second moot court team which also went undefeated on ballots in the preliminary rounds. This team advanced to the regional semifinals where they missed the break by one point on one ballot.
"We have had a great year, and I am endlessly proud of my hardworking students,” Professor of Law and moot court coach Amy Moore said. “Moot court helps hone your legal writing skills and your oral advocacy skills and it’s a lot of fun in a collaborative environment that reflects the profession.”
The feedback from judges called both teams “remarkable” and “stellar” and the judges were extremely impressed with their knowledge and presentation.
Moot court is one of three types of teams provided by the Board of Advocates in Belmont’s College of Law, serving as an extra-curricular opportunity where students can sharpen their practical legal skills and form a sense of community with law school peers.
Moot Court Season Recap
The moot court team received a brief award, an individual advocacy award, and were the national champions at the Emory Civil Rights and Liberties Competition
At the Inaugural Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition Belmont’s team advanced to the semifinals.
Belmont’s team were regional quarterfinalists with the 2nd place brief at the National Moot Court Competition.
Left to right: Patrick Riley (alum and assistant coach), Brandyn Kirby, Cate Farone, Zachary Sterne, Corine Stark, Mary Fabris, Amy Moore, Patrick Gago. (Competing and shadow team for National Moot Court plus coaches)
Left to right: Amy Moore, Corine Stark, Zachary Sterne, Cate Farone (coach and competing team for National Moot Court)
Left to right: Sarah Parker, Carter Gunn, Natalie Burton, Elizabeth Finnegan, Ben Tandy, Kealy Welage.
Left to right: Elizabeth Finnegan, Amy Moore, Ben Tandy, Kealy Welage (coach and competing team)
Left to right: Samantha McCaleb, Carli Tuttle
Left to right: Carli Tuttle, Samantha McCaleb at Inaugural Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition