International Moot Court Board Fosters Competitive Spirit

A group of students interested in pursuing careers in international law, or otherwise hoping to improve their legal research, writing and advocacy skills, gathered Wednesday to learn about Miami Law's International Moot Court Board. The session was hosted by the IMCB's director, Paula Arias; its student president, Lauran San Roman; and Brittany Young, the student vice president.

By UM News 01-26-2011

The International Moot Court Board gives students the chance to represent the University of Miami School of Law in moot court competitions across the country and around the world, while obtaining course credit. "If by any chance you have an interest in international law and want to learn the skills necessary for its practice, this is the place to do it," Professor Arias said.

Students hoping to capitalize on the organization's focus on international law have added benefits to consider when weighing application to IMCB. Among other plusses, the law school picks up the tab for travel and accommodations.

The competitions include: The International Criminal Court Trial Competition in The Hague, The Netherlands; the Moot Madrid competition in Madrid, Spain; the UBA Moot Competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the William C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition in Vienna, Austria; the Susan J. Ferrell Intercultural Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Miami; the International Human Rights Competition in Washington D.C.; the Frankfurt Investment Moot Court Competition in Frankfurt, Germany; and the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington D.C.

For third-year student Masimba Mutamba, who was named one of the top five oralists at the Super Regional Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition last year, the opportunity to represent Miami Law as an IMCB member was one of his crowning achievements as a student. "It was probably one of the best things I've done in law school, hands down," Mutamba concluded. "That being said, it was a lot of work, but it was fun work."

Mutamba believes it was well worth the effort. "These are national and international competitions, where everyone involved knows their stuff," he said. Coming into such an environment unprepared would be unwise, he went on, especially when considering that IMCB members square off against top students representing elite universities from across the globe. "It's really about the thrill of the chase," he said.