The University of Miami School of Law's International Moot Court Program recently showcased its international law and litigation prowess, with two of its teams securing prestigious accolades in top-tier global competitions. The Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition and the Sports Arbitration Moot each saw Miami Law students achieve remarkable success, reaffirming the school's commitment to excellence in moot court competitions.
Triumphant Return to Human Rights Moot Court
After a seven-year hiatus, Miami Law successfully returned to the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, hosted at American University's Washington College of Law. Competing in English, the Miami Law team, composed of recent graduates Cristina Velásquez and Valentina Arbeláez, and rising 3L Jacob Benchetrit, earned various awards.
Velásquez was honored as the Best English Speaker, while Benchetrit was named the Third Best English Speaker. Their exceptional individual performances were complemented by the team's overall success as semifinalists and Runner-Up for Best Briefs in both the State and Victims Representatives categories.
The team's success resulted from an intensive preparation period beginning in August 2024, guided by Paula Arias, director of the International Moot Court and the team's professor and coach, and co-coach Leticia Mora. A Miami Law alumna who competed in the IAHR Moot in 2016, Mora's invaluable mentorship and firsthand experience proved instrumental.
"We spent two months conducting practice rounds with our professor and coach, as well as many guest judges, including attorneys, professors, and experts on the Inter-American System," Benchetrit explained. Even during the competition in Washington, D.C., the team maintained their rigorous work ethic, dedicating every evening to research and further practice rounds at their hotel.
"Their success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the strength of our legal training," said Arias. "I could not be prouder of how they represented our institution on the global stage, reigniting our tradition of excellence in human rights advocacy."
Sports Arbitration Team Shines in Madrid
Miami Law's team also had an impressive performance in Madrid, Spain. Miami Law remains one of the few U.S. law schools and the only one in Florida to participate in this exclusive international competition since its inception three years ago.
This year's team, which was comprised of Joseph Korzeb, 3L, Andrew Lucas, J.D. '25, Estefanía Hernández, J.D. '25, Nicholas Abrahams, 3L, and Lindsay Richmond, 3L, earned multiple accolades. They were recognized as the Best Legal Research Team and the Third Place for Best Applicant Team. They also secured Runner-Up Best Respondent Team, reached the quarterfinals—making them one of only two U.S. teams to reach the final 16—and were recognized as a Global Top Team during the general rounds.
"Competing in the SAM Moot has been one of the most enriching law school experiences for me," said Hernández.
"Representing the University on the international stage and winning awards alongside my teammates was an unforgettable experience," added Lucas.
The team's success was made possible by the dedicated mentorship of Arias and Miami Law alumnus Enric Ripoll, an internationally recognized sports law attorney.
"The SAM is unique among moot competitions in how it immerses students in the practice of international arbitration with leading experts from FIFA, CAS, and top sports law firms," said Arias. "Our students leave with not only awards, but real, transferable skills and lifelong networks."
The impressive performances from both teams underscore Miami Law's unwavering commitment to providing students with practical, internationally relevant legal education that develops their advocacy, legal writing, and analytical abilities in a global setting.
Read more about Miami Law's moot court programs.
