The Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court team of third-year law students Ella Duckworth and Samantha Viner were finalists in the 2024 National Moot Court Competition regional rounds. For the first time in its history, the University of Miami School of Law is sending a team to the 75th annual National Moot Court Competition. The top two teams of each regional competition advance to compete in nationals, which the New York City Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers sponsor.
"Our preparation for regionals was comprehensive and focused," said Duckworth. "We maintained a consistent practice schedule, meeting several times a week to work on oral arguments and refine our legal analysis of the issue. The support from our faculty advisors and coaches was instrumental — working through practice rounds gave us new angles we hadn't thought of before."
Duckworth's and Viner's exceptional advocacy over five preliminary rounds in the two-day competition earned them the title of best team.
"Preparing for regionals required an immense amount of hard work, discipline, and dedication from both Ella and me," said Viner. "We approached the task with the seriousness it deserved, knowing the opportunity to represent our school at this level was an honor. Countless hours were spent analyzing the case record, perfecting our legal arguments, and refining our oral advocacy skills. We divided responsibilities strategically, ensuring every facet of our brief and oral arguments was meticulously prepared. We practiced relentlessly, not only with our teammates but also in front of faculty members, alumni, and anyone willing to challenge us."
Samantha Epstein, J.D. '09, Zakarij "Zak" Laux, J.D. '11, and John Leinicke, J.D. '08, helped coach Duckworth and Viner.
"Our coaches were phenomenal throughout this process, offering insightful guidance, challenging us to think critically, and pushing us to be the best versions of ourselves," said Viner. "Their support and expertise truly elevated our preparation. Our teamwork and commitment, combined with the outstanding mentorship from our coaches, set the foundation for our success."
The National Moot Court Competition is one of the longest-running and honored competitions. Since 1950, this historic competition has allowed student advocates to hone their appellate advocacy skills before prominent members of the legal profession. Over 120 law schools participate in regional rounds nationwide each year, with top teams advancing to the finals in New York City.
The Nationals will be held from January 29-31, during which student teams will argue on an issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Advancing to nationals was an incredible moment for our team and the school," said Duckworth. "When we received the news, there was such a powerful sense of accomplishment, knowing we had achieved something unprecedented in our school's history. The support from the entire law school community was remarkable. While we were thrilled with the achievement, we quickly focused on the work ahead, recognizing our responsibility to represent our school well at the national level."
Both Miami Law students feel strongly that their moot court experience has been invaluable in their law school experience.
"The experiences have honed my ability to craft persuasive legal arguments, think quickly under pressure, and respond effectively to challenging questions from the bench," said Duckworth.
Viner agrees.
"As an aspiring commercial trial lawyer, participating in moot court has been one of the most transformative experiences of my time at Miami Law. It has given me a practical understanding of litigation that goes far beyond the classroom. Crafting legal arguments, anticipating opposing counsel's strategies, and thinking on my feet during oral arguments have sharpened my analytical and advocacy skills in ways that will serve me throughout my career. Working closely with Ella and the rest of the team taught me the importance of collaboration, preparation, and resilience."
Read more about Miami Law's moot court organizations.
