Goodell Moot Court Competition Tests Student's Skills

Photograph: Moot Court FinalistsThe finals of the Lester M. Goodell Top Oralist Memorial Intramural Moot Court Competition were held on October 3, 2014, in the Robinson Courtroom and Bianchino Technology Center. After an initial round earlier in the week, the top four oralists competed in the finals. This annual competition has been sponsored by the Topeka firm of Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds, and Palmer since 1969.

The four finalists were Candice Alcaraz, J.D. Candidate, '16, and Daniel Obermeier, J.D. Candidate, '16, arguing on behalf of the defendant; and Lauren Amrein, J.D. Candidate, '16, and Kimberly Hurt, J.D. Candidate, '16, arguing on behalf of the State.

Notable competition honors went to Lauren Amrein for Top Oralist and James Weber for Top Writer. “I am honored to be recognized as the Top Oralist in the Lester M. Goodell Championship Competition,” commented Amrein. “It was a great experience to write the brief and then have the opportunity to argue in front of distinguished Kansas Court of Appeals judges. I look forward to competing with the Moot Court Council this year and learning how to sharpen my appellate advocacy skills.”

Many thanks to Kansas Court of Appeals Judges Thomas Malone, ’79, Michael Buser, and Kim Schroeder, ’82, for judging the final round. The judges observed that each of the competitors was well-prepared and all made a very good presentation. Members of Moot Court Council were able to visit with the judges following the competition.

Moot Court Council also announced that the following students have accepted their invitation to be part of the Council: Candice Alcaraz, Lauren Amrein, Kimberly Hurt, Daniel Obermeier, and James Weber.