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Drake University Law School’s National Moot Court team of Mara Jones (3L), Kyle Mendenhall (3L), and Louis Sloven (2L) competed last week in the national finals of the 64th Annual National Moot Court Competition.
The National Moot Court Competition, which is the oldest and most prestigious moot court competition in the country, was held February 10-13 in New York City. More than 190 teams from 131 law schools competed in regional rounds of the competition, which is sponsored by the New York City Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Jones, Mendenhall and Sloven’s Drake team advanced to the national finals after winning the regionals last November. Of the 30 law schools who competed at the national Finals, the Drake team received the third highest brief score and finished third after advancing to the semi-final round.
“Only the top two teams from each region qualified to compete in the national finals and the Drake team faced some of the most talented advocates from that distinguished group,” said Laurie Doré, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law and coach of the team. “Mara, Kyle, and Louie rose to the challenge and delivered some of the best arguments that I had heard them or others present. They also wrote an outstanding brief that contributed to their success. Drake should be very proud and excited about the team’s exceptional performance.”
The problem this year involved a First Amendment and Dormant Commerce Clause challenge to a state bottle law. The law required retailers to post signs warning of dangers associated with sugar sweetened beverages and also required manufacturers to uniquely mark beverage containers to prevent deposit fraud.