From MSU Law
Julian Sanders (’25) won First Place in the 1L Final Oral Argument 2024 for his freedom of the press argument in support of newspaper reporter in the MSU Law moot court competition.
Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement (’02) of the Michigan State Supreme Court complimented Sanders for his listening skills.
“Julian, you took a question a judge asked opposing counsel and addressed it in your oral argument. You turned it and dealt with it head on,” she said. “That shows you know how to listen.”
In general, she said, MSU 1L students argued better than many practicing lawyers she’s heard over the years. She encouraged them to apply to internships at the state Supreme Court.
Sanders is in Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello. Other winners: Second Place Oralist: Terry Mayotte, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad; Third Place Oralists:
Ethan Day, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus; and Bailey Braneff, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry.
In addition to Chief Justice Clement, the judges included Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle, and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Sima Patel.
Interim Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio told the students their work displayed a level of sophistication that will serve them well in law school and beyond.
“Participating in 1L oral argument competition requires not only mastery of legal principles and persuasive argumentation but also poise, confidence, and the ability to think critically under pressure,” Sant’Ambrogio said.
He also acknowledged the students who won Best Brief and Best Oralist awards.
“Congratulations to each of you for your remarkable success, whether you are taking home an oral advocacy prize or a best brief award,” he said. “Your exceptional dedication and skills of legal persuasion exemplify the highest standards of legal advocacy.”
The Best Brief award was sponsored by Don Nystrom (’00), long-standing distinguished alum and former Chair of the Board of Trustees. Nystrom was the Editor in Chief of the Michigan State Law Review and founded the Best Brief competition as part of the 1L Oral Advocacy Program.
The Best Oralist award was sponsored by MSU Federal Credit Union, which was represented by MSUFCU’s Chief Legal Counsel, Steve Owen.
Sant’Ambrogio thanked both award sponsors for their generosity and the opportunities they provide MSU Law students.
The student winners are as follows:
Best Brief Writers 2024
First Place Brief Writer: Sarah Sanders, Advocacy Section 9, Professor Mary Harokopus
Second Place Writer: Laura Fox , Advocacy Section 14, Professor Jennifer Copland
Third Place Writer: Krystal (Soo Jeong) Kang, Advocacy Section 5, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Recognition:
Amanda Houdeschell, Advocacy Section 4, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Belle Letcher, Advocacy Section 6, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Leo Kresch, Advocacy Section 7, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Valerie McNamara, Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello
Dayna Mulder, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus
Kelsey Drake, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad
Allison Opheim, Advocacy Section 12, Professor Paul Stokstad
Elise Fitzmaurice, Advocacy Section 13, Professor Charles Adside
Naseem Morales, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry
Caroline Berish, Advocacy Section 16, Professor Elaine Spiliopoulos
Best Oralists of the 1L Class 2024
First Place Oralist: Julian Sanders, Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello
Second Place Oralist: Tony Mayotte, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad
Third Place Oralists: Ethan Day, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus and Bailey Braneff, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry
Recognition:
Rory Spence, Advocacy Section 4, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Hannah Mahn, Advocacy Section 5, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Rachel Woods, Advocacy Section 6, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Rachel Oelsner, Advocacy Section 7, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Samuel Baker, Advocacy Section 9, Professor Mary Harokopus
Allison Opheim, Advocacy Section 12, Professor Paul Stokstad
Joshua Trierweiler, Advocacy Section 13, Professor Charles Adside
Benedict Nsenga, Advocacy Section 14, Professor Jennifer Copland
Julian Sanders (’25) won First Place in the 1L Final Oral Argument 2024 for his freedom of the press argument in support of newspaper reporter in the MSU Law moot court competition.
Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement (’02) of the Michigan State Supreme Court complimented Sanders for his listening skills.
“Julian, you took a question a judge asked opposing counsel and addressed it in your oral argument. You turned it and dealt with it head on,” she said. “That shows you know how to listen.”
In general, she said, MSU 1L students argued better than many practicing lawyers she’s heard over the years. She encouraged them to apply to internships at the state Supreme Court.
Sanders is in Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello. Other winners: Second Place Oralist: Terry Mayotte, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad; Third Place Oralists:
Ethan Day, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus; and Bailey Braneff, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry.
In addition to Chief Justice Clement, the judges included Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle, and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Sima Patel.
Interim Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio told the students their work displayed a level of sophistication that will serve them well in law school and beyond.
“Participating in 1L oral argument competition requires not only mastery of legal principles and persuasive argumentation but also poise, confidence, and the ability to think critically under pressure,” Sant’Ambrogio said.
He also acknowledged the students who won Best Brief and Best Oralist awards.
“Congratulations to each of you for your remarkable success, whether you are taking home an oral advocacy prize or a best brief award,” he said. “Your exceptional dedication and skills of legal persuasion exemplify the highest standards of legal advocacy.”
The Best Brief award was sponsored by Don Nystrom (’00), long-standing distinguished alum and former Chair of the Board of Trustees. Nystrom was the Editor in Chief of the Michigan State Law Review and founded the Best Brief competition as part of the 1L Oral Advocacy Program.
The Best Oralist award was sponsored by MSU Federal Credit Union, which was represented by MSUFCU’s Chief Legal Counsel, Steve Owen.
Sant’Ambrogio thanked both award sponsors for their generosity and the opportunities they provide MSU Law students.
The student winners are as follows:
Best Brief Writers 2024
First Place Brief Writer: Sarah Sanders, Advocacy Section 9, Professor Mary Harokopus
Second Place Writer: Laura Fox , Advocacy Section 14, Professor Jennifer Copland
Third Place Writer: Krystal (Soo Jeong) Kang, Advocacy Section 5, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Recognition:
Amanda Houdeschell, Advocacy Section 4, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Belle Letcher, Advocacy Section 6, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Leo Kresch, Advocacy Section 7, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Valerie McNamara, Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello
Dayna Mulder, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus
Kelsey Drake, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad
Allison Opheim, Advocacy Section 12, Professor Paul Stokstad
Elise Fitzmaurice, Advocacy Section 13, Professor Charles Adside
Naseem Morales, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry
Caroline Berish, Advocacy Section 16, Professor Elaine Spiliopoulos
Best Oralists of the 1L Class 2024
First Place Oralist: Julian Sanders, Advocacy Section 8, Professor Nancy Costello
Second Place Oralist: Tony Mayotte, Advocacy Section 11, Professor Paul Stokstad
Third Place Oralists: Ethan Day, Advocacy Section 10, Professor Mary Harokopus and Bailey Braneff, Advocacy Section 15, Professor Kevin Gentry
Recognition:
Rory Spence, Advocacy Section 4, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Hannah Mahn, Advocacy Section 5, Professor Daphne O’Regan
Rachel Woods, Advocacy Section 6, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Rachel Oelsner, Advocacy Section 7, Professor Stephanie LaRose
Samuel Baker, Advocacy Section 9, Professor Mary Harokopus
Allison Opheim, Advocacy Section 12, Professor Paul Stokstad
Joshua Trierweiler, Advocacy Section 13, Professor Charles Adside
Benedict Nsenga, Advocacy Section 14, Professor Jennifer Copland
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