When the University of Miami School of Law's International Moot Court team arrived in Madrid for the final rounds of the Sports Arbitration Moot, they did so following an impressive showing in the competition's preliminary rounds. After three weeks of virtual competition against 76 institutions from around the world, the School of Law entered the in-person rounds ranked first and as the only U.S. law school to advance to the elimination stage. The team went on to capture the world championship, marking another milestone for the School of Law's International Moot Court Program (IMCP).
The victory reflects the mission of the IMCP, which provides students with opportunities to develop advocacy skills through rigorous coursework, intensive preparation and competition in international legal forums. Through participation in competitions such as the Sports Arbitration Moot, students gain practical experience applying legal principles in complex, cross-border settings.
Building international advocates
The International Moot Court Program is the only program of its kind in the United States. It combines academic study with hands-on advocacy experience, exposing students to areas such as international arbitration, civil law traditions, human rights and cross-border dispute resolution. Through coursework and competition, students learn how to analyze legal issues from a global perspective while developing research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
Practice rounds judged by international legal experts complement classroom instruction and help students prepare for the challenges they may encounter in international legal practice.
"One of the greatest benefits of IMCP is that it provides students with opportunities to explore diverse legal practice areas while showcasing the breadth of our international opportunities," said Paula Arias, director of the IMCP. "Highlighting these achievements brings visibility to the various programs that support and develop these interests, including our Human Rights, Environmental Law, Arbitration, Sports Law and Tax programs, demonstrating the depth and real-world impact of the University's international law offerings as a whole."
From preparation to championship
The Sports Arbitration Moot focuses on contemporary issues in international sports law, including match-fixing, sports betting and the relationship between human rights and lex sportiva. For the School of Law team, composed of Mariana Moreno, Alexis Castillo, Alfonso Figuerola and Cristian Alvarez, the competition served as an opportunity to put the skills developed through the International Moot Court Program into practice.
Coached by Arias and alumnus Enric Ripoll, the team spent months preparing written submissions and oral arguments while refining strategy and working collaboratively.
"Teamwork is at the core of how I approach coaching," said Arias. "Success in competitions like SAM is not the result of isolated effort; it is built through collective discipline, consistent practice, strategic coordination and a shared commitment to excellence. For two years in a row, our students achieved the distinction of being recognized as the top team and seeing them culminate that trajectory by claiming the championship in Madrid was particularly rewarding."
Coursework in action
For Alvarez, the championship underscored the value of the academic and professional opportunities available through the program.
"What made this experience so special was the preparation that led up to it," Alvarez said, who is studying a J.D./LL.M. in entertainment, arts, and sports law. "Over the past year, our team learned from leading practitioners in international sports law and arbitration. Our foundation was built in specialized courses such as soccer law, professor Arias's international mooting course and sports negotiation. Combined with feedback from distinguished arbitrators, counsel and industry professionals, the experience demonstrated that Miami Law is a program capable of competing and succeeding on the global stage."
The team's success illustrates how the program connects classroom learning with practical advocacy experience. Students not only study international legal issues but also engage directly with practitioners, arbitrators and peers from around the world.
Connections beyond the competition
While winning the championship was a significant achievement, Alvarez said the relationships developed throughout the experience are among the most meaningful takeaways.
"The competition was an incredible opportunity to meet talented students, practitioners and arbitrators from around the world who share a passion for sports law and international arbitration," Alvarez says. "Beyond the competition, I was fortunate to build lasting friendships with my teammates through months of preparation, long days in Madrid and travel together. Winning the Sports Arbitration Moot was an incredible honor, but the relationships, mentorship and experiences gained along the way are what I will remember most."
The championship in Madrid represents more than a competition victory. It reflects the International Moot Court Program's role in helping students translate classroom learning into practical advocacy experience on a global stage.
Read more about the School of Law’s moot court organizations.
