PREPARING LAW STUDENTS FOR PRACTICE THROUGH SKILLS COMPETITIONS
PREPARING LAW STUDENTS FOR PRACTICE THROUGH SKILLS COMPETITIONS
KATHRYN R . L . RAND Dean , University of North Dakota School of Law
Though “ practice ready ” is the term commonly used to describe the ideal law school graduate , a more accurate term might be “ practice prepared ”— law graduates who have the knowledge , skills , and values required of an entry-level attorney . Our profession is complex and dynamic , so there ’ s no doubt that even the brightest new graduates will need guidance from more senior attorneys early in their careers .
Nevertheless , legal education has come a long way in terms of integrating skills into the curriculum . Law students practice interviewing clients , drafting contracts and other legal documents , negotiating deals , drafting legislation , conducting discovery and depositions , commenting on proposed administrative rules , trying cases , and preparing and arguing appeals . That ’ s a far cry from my days as a new law graduate , when I had to admit to my first employer that I didn ’ t know how to draft a complaint because I had never seen one .
At UND School of Law , one of the many ways we ’ ve increased skills instruction throughout our curriculum is by incorporating skills competitions . Moot court and mock trial competitions help students to hone strong writing and oral advocacy skills , sharpen their power to apply law to facts in a way that serves a client ’ s interests , improve their ability to function well under pressure , increase their comfort in courtroom and other practice settings , and build professional self-sufficiency and self-confidence . These skills translate to all areas of practice , even if students don ’ t choose litigation as a career path .
In addition to the traditional internal moot court competition held each fall , our students compete in regional and national trial and moot court competitions each spring . It ’ s become a much-anticipated annual event at the School of Law to spotlight our students ’ performance at the spring skills competitions , and to express our gratitude for the many sitting judges and practicing attorneys who help them prepare for competition .
This year , UND School of Law students participated in numerous moot court competitions : National Cultural Heritage Competition , DePaul University College of Law . The UND team , Morgan Wagner and Meggi Ihland , coached by Jesse Maier , advanced to the Sweet Sixteen ( octofinals ).
National Energy and Sustainability Competition , West Virginia School of Law . Two UND teams coached by Kiara Kraus-Parr competed , Samantha Olson and Amanda Tucker , and Tyler Erickson and Tom Burckhard . Tyler and Tom advanced to the Sweet Sixteen ( octofinals ).
Gabrielli National Family Moot Court Competition , Albany Law School . Two UND teams coached by Professor Kirsten Dauphinais competed , Jack Yunker and Robert Vallie , and Ariana Meyers and Rue Muza . Ariana and Rue advanced to the Elite Eight ( quarterfinals ), and Ariana won the award for Second Best Oralist in the Competition .
Ruby R . Vale Corporate Competition , Delaware Law School . The UND team of Jordan Selinger and Evan Nelson , coached by Professor Alexandra Sickler and Jonathan Sickler , advanced to the Elite Eight ( quarterfinals ).
And , as I wrote this , we were sending two UND teams to the Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Competition at Buffalo Law School . Nicholas Christensen and Kylie Oversen , and Matthew Dearth and Alyssa Lovas , coached by Sam Gereszek , competed there in early April .
UND School of Law students also competed in two mock trial competitions :
The UND Trial Team , divided into two competition teams , competed at the National Trial Competition Region 8 competition in Madison , Wisconsin . The UND “ white ” team , made up of Karlei Neufeld , Patty Castro , and Erin Ferry faced two William Mitchell / Hamline teams in rounds one and two . Each round resulted in a split
22 THE GAVEL