Miami Law’s CPK Circuit Bankruptcy Competition Celebrates 11th Anniversary

Now in its 11th year, the Cristol, Kahn, Paskay Circuit Bankruptcy Competition serves as a formal practice for students registered to compete in the Duberstein Moot Court Competition in New York. Although the CKP Cup is not an elimination round for the Duberstein competition, each team competing for the CKP Cup must be registered for both competitions and has the support of some of the nation's most prestigious law firms and attorneys.

By Catharine Skipp c.skipp@miami.edu 03-02-2022

The CKP Cup is named in honor of three federal bankruptcy judges who serve or have served in the 11th Circuit: A. Jay Cristol of the Southern District of Florida; A. David Kahn of the Northern District of Georgia; and Alexander L. Paskay of the Middle District of Florida. Judge Cristol, J.D. '59 not only teaches Bankruptcy Law at Miami Law but also the Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic is named in his and his wife's honor.

Each year, teams from throughout the 11th Circuit Eleventh Circuit (Florida, Georgia, and Alabama) registered to compete. Each team argues in two preliminary rounds, and the four highest-scoring teams will argue in a semifinal round on Saturday afternoon. The winner from each semifinal round will advance to the finals.

Awards in the CKP Cup include a trophy for the first- and second-place teams, and oral advocacy awards. Judges and prominent bankruptcy practitioners judge rounds, and teams receive constructive criticism and suggestions after each round.

In this year’s competition, one of Miami Law’s Charles C. Papy Moot Court teams finished as semifinalists and Jessica Nunez Muñoz took the Runner Up Best Oral Advocate award at this year’s CKP competition, hosted by Miami Law. Eight teams competed from six schools.

Miami Law was aided again by a stellar bench of judges for the semifinal and final rounds, including Miami Law distinguished alumna, Chief Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, J.D. ’82, of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida. The judges reportedly were impressed on the caliber of the students and how well prepared they were.

Like every year, the CKP Cup could not have been possible without the hard work from Patricia Redmond, J.D. ’79. And, without the relentless work from Jerry Markowitz, J.D.’74, in getting sponsorships.

Preparation for next moots

In past years at the Duberstein Moot, Miami Law has placed very well with the teams placing second in both 2019 and 2020.

“We extend our congratulations to the Georgia State team for winning the competition,” said Farah Barquero, director of the Moot Court Board. “And we look forward to a great showing from all of the 11th Circuit teams in the Duberstein.”

The 30th Annual Duberstein National Bankruptcy Competition, jointly sponsored by St. John’s University School of Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute, will be held this year on February 26 – 28, 2022, in New York.