Wayne State University Law School’s Moot Court team earned a second-place finish at the 38th Annual Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition, held March 6-7, in Albany, New York.
The national competition brought together more than 30 law school teams to compete in appellate advocacy focused on complex family law issues.
Representing Wayne Law were Gillian Rabine (3L), Maria Gustitus (2L), and Kerri Tang (2L). The team was advised by Lauren Simasko, moot court advisor, and coached by Scarfone & Green PC trial attorney Brandon Ayers.
Wayne Law advanced through five consecutive rounds, two preliminary rounds, octofinals, quarterfinals and semifinals before competing in the championship round. The team ultimately placed second overall, earning a finalist plaque as the first runner-up.
This year’s competition required participants to research and brief two distinct legal issues before presenting oral arguments for both sides of the case. Teams were assigned which side to argue by coin flip at each round, requiring competitors to quickly adapt their arguments. Gustitus and Tang argued for the appellants, while Rabine and Tang argued for the appellees.
“This experience was both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” Gustitus said. “I am especially grateful to the incredible attorneys and mentors who generously took the time to judge our practice oral arguments before we traveled to New York. Their thoughtful feedback was invaluable in helping us prepare for the national competition.”
Rabine reflected on the team’s experience and growth throughout the competition.
“I am so incredibly proud of this team,” Rabine said. “Making it to the finals of a national moot court competition, and getting to watch this team grow has been the biggest joy of my law school career.”
Tang emphasized the importance of teamwork and support.
“Being part of this team was incredibly special,” Tang said. “Each of us leaned into our strengths while supporting one another, and in the process we all became stronger advocates. I am so grateful to everyone who supported us, our coach, the attorneys who volunteered their time, and our friends and family who cheered us on at every stage.”
The team’s performance was evaluated by a panel of judges, including Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, presiding justice of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department; Justice Mark L. Powers of the same court; and Justice Lillian Wan of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department.
“Moot court is demanding. It requires tremendous effort, preparation and resilience regardless of the final standings,” Ayers said. “Advancing to the championship round in a national competition, however, is exceptionally rare, and these students rose to the occasion at every turn. Wayne State University’s School of Law should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments.”
The Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition honors the late associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals and focuses on appellate advocacy in family law.
This marks the first time in Wayne Law history that a team has advanced beyond the octofinals at the Gabrielli competition, making the team’s run to the championship round a milestone achievement for the law school.
The national competition brought together more than 30 law school teams to compete in appellate advocacy focused on complex family law issues.
Representing Wayne Law were Gillian Rabine (3L), Maria Gustitus (2L), and Kerri Tang (2L). The team was advised by Lauren Simasko, moot court advisor, and coached by Scarfone & Green PC trial attorney Brandon Ayers.
Wayne Law advanced through five consecutive rounds, two preliminary rounds, octofinals, quarterfinals and semifinals before competing in the championship round. The team ultimately placed second overall, earning a finalist plaque as the first runner-up.
This year’s competition required participants to research and brief two distinct legal issues before presenting oral arguments for both sides of the case. Teams were assigned which side to argue by coin flip at each round, requiring competitors to quickly adapt their arguments. Gustitus and Tang argued for the appellants, while Rabine and Tang argued for the appellees.
“This experience was both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” Gustitus said. “I am especially grateful to the incredible attorneys and mentors who generously took the time to judge our practice oral arguments before we traveled to New York. Their thoughtful feedback was invaluable in helping us prepare for the national competition.”
Rabine reflected on the team’s experience and growth throughout the competition.
“I am so incredibly proud of this team,” Rabine said. “Making it to the finals of a national moot court competition, and getting to watch this team grow has been the biggest joy of my law school career.”
Tang emphasized the importance of teamwork and support.
“Being part of this team was incredibly special,” Tang said. “Each of us leaned into our strengths while supporting one another, and in the process we all became stronger advocates. I am so grateful to everyone who supported us, our coach, the attorneys who volunteered their time, and our friends and family who cheered us on at every stage.”
The team’s performance was evaluated by a panel of judges, including Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, presiding justice of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department; Justice Mark L. Powers of the same court; and Justice Lillian Wan of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department.
“Moot court is demanding. It requires tremendous effort, preparation and resilience regardless of the final standings,” Ayers said. “Advancing to the championship round in a national competition, however, is exceptionally rare, and these students rose to the occasion at every turn. Wayne State University’s School of Law should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments.”
The Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition honors the late associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals and focuses on appellate advocacy in family law.
This marks the first time in Wayne Law history that a team has advanced beyond the octofinals at the Gabrielli competition, making the team’s run to the championship round a milestone achievement for the law school.
