The University of Miami School of Law’s Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board continues to cement its reputation as a powerhouse in appellate advocacy. 3Ls Yelena Gladyr and Fernando Yzquierdo recently delivered a dominant performance at the Moot Court National Championship in Houston, finishing as semifinalists in a field of the nation's elite programs.
The National Championship is an exclusive, invitation-only event. Only the top sixteen moot court programs in the country earn a bid, a distinction based purely on a cumulative year of competitive results.
Excellence in writing and advocacy
The duo didn’t just excel in the moot competition; they were also recognized for their rigorous scholarship, earning the Second-Best Brief award. Additionally, Yzquierdo was honored as the Best Oralist of the competition.
"The preparation had two segments: a brief writing component and an oral argument component," said Yzquierdo. "For a little over a month, Yelena and I conducted extensive research on the laws governing outer space. I’m incredibly fortunate to say that because of Yelena, I became a better brief writer. To see the fruits of our labor was especially rewarding."
Gladyr echoed the sentiment of growth, noting the chemistry the pair developed over their law school careers. "We competed together last year in the Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition, and it was such a great experience to see how much we had improved as advocates," she said.
A community effort – alumni support
While Gladyr and Yzquierdo were the faces of the team in Houston, their success was fueled by the Miami Law alumni network. Thirty-five alumni volunteered their time and expertise, acting as guest judges in practice rounds to sharpen the team’s arguments.
The team was led by coach Susan Kornspan, J.D. ‘90, whose mentorship was pivotal. "Susan was a phenomenal coach," said Yzquierdo. "I have a newfound appreciation for the impact a specific adjective might have on a judge. When they called my name for Best Oralist, I honestly didn't care about the trophy. All that mattered was giving Yelena and Susan a hug to express my immense gratitude."
A defining law school experience
For both students, the experience served as a capstone to their time at the School of Law. Gladyr noted that the Moot Court Board provides a rare and vital opportunity to "get your feet wet in appellate advocacy" and build confidence in a personal advocacy style.
"The Venn diagram of my law school experience and my time on the Moot Court Board is practically a circle," said Yzquierdo. "I've formed friendships that will follow me outside the walls of this law school."
As they prepare to graduate, the memories of the "Space Law" arguments and the late-night sessions in the law library remain. "My memories from competition will be the ones I look back on most fondly when I reminisce about law school," said Gladyr.
Read more about the School of Law’s moot court organizations.
