With the academic year now concluded, the International Moot Court Program’s Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot) team reflects on a season defined by rigorous advocacy, international competition, and exceptional achievement. The Program, the only one of its kind in the U.S., 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. For the students involved in the competitions on the Vis Moot circuit, the experience has been more than a competition, it has been a defining chapter of their legal education.
The Road to Vienna
The Vis Moot is one of the world’s most prestigious and grueling law school competitions in the world, challenging participants to master complex issues in international commercial arbitration. Because the competition is so complex—relying on the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods—teams spend months honing their arguments.
There are two crucial phases in the Vis Moot to train advocacy skills: the writing of memoranda for claimant and respondent and the presentation of arguments in oral hearings held before arbitration practitioners and academics.
Before reaching the final rounds in Vienna, teams participate in "Pre-Moots" which are essential precursors that allow students to refine their arguments and engage with the global legal community.
This year, Miami Law’s team distinguished itself on this international stage, earning top placements across multiple countries:
- Budapest Pre-Moot: The team secured a first-place finish.
- Florida International Bar Section Pre-Moot: The team earned first place on their home turf.
- Galicia Pre-Moot (Mexico City): The team secured a second-place finish.
- International Law Cup: The team earned third place.
For the students, the lasting impact of the Vis Moot extends far beyond trophies. Allegra Garcia, who recently graduated, describes the surreal nature of meeting the legal titans they studied during their preparation. "One of the most memorable aspects of the competition was the opportunity to engage with leading figures in international arbitration—many of whom we had studied extensively or cited in our briefs,” she said. “After spending months researching their work, it was a surreal, full-circle moment to meet them in person and see those ideas come to life in the competition setting.”
Srimayi Chaturvedula, who earned a Best Oralist Honorable Mention during her tenure, emphasizes the personal growth that comes from such high-level global engagement. "I am not only a better advocate, but a better person from what competing globally for two years has taught me. It has taught me that the legal community is not just my Miami bubble, but the world, and that practitioners who view the practice of law this way are changing the world we live in.”
A Collaborative Effort
The team’s success was rooted in extensive collaboration, fostered under the leadership of director and coach Paula C. Arias. Arias highlighted the unique prestige of this specific circuit. “As a director and coach, I have seen that every moot has its own culture, but the Vis Moot—now in its 33rd edition—offers a truly incomparable experience, uniquely combining rigorous academic training with unmatched professional exposure, personal growth, and deep cultural awareness."
Team member Meg Williams credits this cohesion as a defining factor in their performance. "At each team meeting, the four of us worked through the issues together, which helped us build a deeper understanding of the problem as a whole. We encouraged each other’s ideas and creativity, and during rounds, we passed notes of encouragement. We felt like a cohesive team that had each other’s backs no matter what.”
The Next Chapter
The team represents a blend of graduating leaders and rising talent. Chaturvedula and Garcia will soon begin their legal careers at Rivero Mestre LLP and Fowler White Burnett, respectively. They leave the program in the hands of rising 3Ls Max Ackerson—who earned a Best Oralist Honorable Mention this year—and Williams, who will serve as the incoming president and social chair of the International Moot Court Board.
Their achievements reflect not only individual dedication but also the strength of Miami Law’s commitment to experiential learning and global engagement.
Read more about the School of Law’s moot court programs
