From left, Judge Stephanie Ray, Judge Stephan Mickle, and Judge Kent Wetherell sit with the final four competitors and alternate of the Moot Court competition. From left to right, Megan Coughlin, Cullen Boggus, Nathan Diehl (alternate), Ian Dankelman, and Blake Neumann. The 27th Annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court competition was held in the Advocacy Center.

Students, faculty and alumni filled the Martin H. Levin Advocacy Center Aug. 31 to watch four of the Florida Moot Court team’s top competitors argue about changing laws regarding cellphone privacy. Every seat was taken for the 27^th annual Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe Moot Court Final Four competition which allows some of the UF Levin College of Law’s elite oralists to put their skills and hard work to the test.

Every summer, second-year law students have the opportunity to try out to become members of the Florida Moot Court Team. The top five then move on to the competition: two petitioners, two respondents and an alternate. All five students receive scholarships funded by the Justice Campbell Thornal Endowment for outstanding performances in the intramural tryouts. Additional scholarships are awarded to the winners of the competition.

Ian Dankelman and Blake Neumann represented the petitioners, the U.S. government. Cullen Boggus and Megan Coughlin represented the respondent, Jack Fritz. Nathan Diehl, the alternate, acted as master of ceremonies and bailiff. This year’s issue concerned cellphone privacy under the Fourth Amendment and a minor’s right to counsel under the Fifth Amendment. The bench composed of Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Judge Stephanie W. Ray and Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. The arguments were displayed via video in Holland Hall and online.

“Over the number of years I’ve been at these competitions, these were some of the best arguments I have ever seen,” Judge Mickle said.

After an hour of intense oral argument, the judges announced the winners. Best brief went to Nathan Diehl, best overall went to Blake Neumann, best oralist went to Megan Coughlin and best team went to Ian Dankelman and Blake Neumann.

“They did much better than I could have done as a young law student,” Judge Ray said before complimenting each student on the strength of their argument and skills as an oralist. “I truly can’t wait to see where you all end up.”

The Florida Moot Court Competition is sponsored by Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe, P.A. and Lorrie Bearden. Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe is recognized as one of the largest law firms in central Florida and has been sponsoring the competition for 27 consecutive years.

“It’s somewhat bittersweet for me as a Seminole,” said Judge Wetherell. “I was partially hoping I would come down here and find that you could not speak and didn’t understand the law but that obviously is not the case. I thought all of you did exceptionally well.”

First-year students who watched the competition and are curious about the Moot Court team are encouraged to attend any of the information sessions this spring. Students may also stop by the Moot Court table in the courtyard throughout the year where they can speak with team members who will be discussing their current competitions and their perspective on appellate advocacy. A replay of the competition is available at http://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Play/cf497b23132d471096761dc5c34c2c871d.

- Francie Weinberg
Student Writer

(Robert O’Linn (3L) contributed to this article)

Christina Vilaseca and Frank Fischer represented the prosecution team at the Trial Team Final Four on Oct. 15. (Photo by Andres Farfan)

While most of campus was on holiday for Homecoming, Tiana Beaudouin, Frank Fischer, Tara Tedrow and Christina Vilaseca were competing in the Trial Team Final Four on Friday, Oct. 15, in front of a judge, jury and other guests and Trial Team members.

The students, all 2Ls, argued the case, which involved criminal charges of embezzlement, use of a computer to commit a crime, and exceeding valid computer authorization, before the Honorable Charlene Honeywell, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. J. Scott Kirk, LaShawnda K. Jackson and Mary A. Cox, attorneys from Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A., comprised the jury.

The jury returned a verdict for the defendant, represented by Tara Tedrow and Tiana Beaudouin, finding him not guilty on all charges. Tedrow and Beaudouin won the Best Team Award. Tedrow also received the Best Advocate Award.

“Participating in the competition was a great experience,” Tedrow said. She believes the Trial Team is one of the greatest opportunities at the law school to prepare for future practice.

“Even if full trials are rare, the communication, persuasion and writing skills necessary to succeed will benefit you outside of the courtroom. Interacting with clients, other attorneys and judges at pre-trial hearings, mediations and depositions all require the skills that Trial Team will instill.”

In teams of two, the competitors will present oral arguments in front of judges from the Florida Supreme Court and the Fourth District Court of Appeals. The arguments are open for observation by fellow students, alumni and faculty.

The Fall Final Four is sponsored by the Orlando law firm of Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, and is the culmination of a five-week tryout competition, which requires interested students to write an appellate brief and then present two oral arguments before a panel of judges.

One of the foremost national moot court teams, the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Team competes each year at over a dozen tournaments throughout the country. The team was founded in 1961, and was named after the prominent Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice. The team’s mission is to promote excellence in appellate advocacy.