Carroll College has completed its first fall season of Moot Court competition since the program was relaunched earlier this year. Three teams from Carroll participated in American Moot Court Association (AMCA) regional tournaments during November.
Six students represented Carroll College at different competitions. Hadley Wilcox and John Goodwin competed at the South Texas Regional in Fort Worth, Texas; Ella Kuenzli and Michael Faccenda took part in the Drake Regional in Des Moines, Iowa; and Kate Wilkins and Reagan Long attended the Southern California Regional at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles.
The participants gained experience in appellate-style advocacy by presenting arguments before panels of judges and engaging with complex legal questions. They competed against established programs from across the country, which provided preparation for future seasons.
Professor Kristine D. Kuenzli, J.D., who leads the program, commented on the team’s efforts: “I am incredibly proud of all of our Moot Court Team members. This newly restarted team represented Carroll College with a grace and excellence that far transcended their results. These students argued with intellectual rigor, supported one another with genuine charity, and embodied the very best of fraternal correction and encouragement. They grew remarkably in legal reasoning, poise under pressure, and above all in the camaraderie that comes from pursuing truth together. We look forward to building on the experiences from this year.”
Students also shared their experiences. John Goodwin said, “This was my first Moot Court competition. I was at first worried because I was very new to it. After each round I would pick up new ideas and critiques that helped me become more comfortable. This is one of the best experiences I have had at Carroll, and I am very appreciative of our coaches and the college for supporting us.”
Ella Kuenzli reflected on her participation: “Being able to practice and then compete for Moot Court in Iowa was an amazing experience. It taught me how to synthesize law cases, prepare an oral argument, effectively deliver that argument, and field difficult questions. These skills will greatly benefit me as I apply to law school and pursue my future career.”
Reagan Long added about her tournament experience: “This tournament was a fantastic opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge I have developed through the Carroll College Moot Court program in a truly competitive setting. Delivering oral arguments alongside other teams has been both challenging and rewarding, and this experience has fostered a strong sense of community among my teammates and our dedicated coaches.”
The Moot Court program at Carroll College allows undergraduates to participate in simulated appellate advocacy exercises designed to strengthen legal reasoning, public speaking abilities, and critical analysis skills. Students follow an academic cycle where they are introduced to foundational techniques during spring semester coursework before focusing on case preparation ahead of AMCA regional competitions each fall.
Each year, AMCA hosts around twenty regional qualifying tournaments nationwide where two-person teams argue fictional appellate cases before judges who assess clarity, responsiveness, persuasiveness, and professionalism. The top quarter of competing teams move on to a national championship tournament.
With its first fall season after relaunch now concluded, Carroll College acknowledges its students’ dedication as they work toward establishing a lasting tradition within its Moot Court program.
For more information about Carroll’s Moot Court team visit www.carroll.edu/moot-court-team.
