March 6, 2020

Semi-Finalists Moot Court Team Howard Wins Best Brief and Best Oralist (Washington, D.C.)

Congratulations to Moot-ers Blanca Chavez, Cole Cable, and Matthew Goldberg on competing in the 17th Annual Bryant-Moore Invitational Competition at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on February 28th to February 29th, 2020. 

Moot Court Team Howard performed spectacularly at the competition, advancing to the semi-finals and sweeping every other award. Matthew Goldberg won Best Oralist, and the team won Best Brief! 

"Hard work, and a passion for the law, are not an unusual pair. Southwestern's Moot Court Program has given me the ability to challenge myself and demonstrate the excellence of our students. Since joining Moot Court in my second year, I have dreamed of earning a Best Oral Advocate award. Receiving this award at a civil rights competition is a dream come true. I want to thank my team, my coach, the Moot Court Directors, my friends, and my family, and Southwestern for supporting me through the sleepless nights needed to earn this award."

- 3L Matthew Goldberg, Best Oralist

This year's competition focused on two challenging issues. The first issue was whether prison gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the second issue was whether the claimant or the city bears the burden of proof for imputing the unconstitutional intent of one member to the majority of a multi-member municipal board.

Their coach, Professor Bryce Woolley, commended the team for their hard work and excellent performance. 

"I am so proud of the hard work and consistently stellar performances Blanca, Cole, and Matt delivered. They all represented Southwestern extraordinarily well. Congrats, Blanca, Cole, and Matt!!"

Thank you to the entire Moot Court Honors Program, their coaches, and their faculty directors for helping this team prepare!