Cumberland Moot Court

09/08/2025

On Sunday, the Cumberland Moot Court Board wrapped its annual Gordon T. Saad Moot Court Competition. This competition serves as the tryouts for Cumberland’s National Moot Court Team.

After weeks of brief writing and oral argument rounds, 2L Gage Ragona won the competition and 2L Nic Cockrell was named Runner-Up. A huge congratulations to Gage and Nic, along with finalists Catherine Pattillo and Courtney Baro.

Each of these advocates are incredibly talented and impressed final round judges Emily Hopper (‘19), Anna Saunders Knouse (‘19), and Professor Jim Phillips.

Congratulations to all and thank you to our Board members for hosting an exciting competition! Go Rascals!

02/16/2025

A HUGE congrats to Cumberland’s ABA Moot Court Team for being one of four WINNERS at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition - San Francisco Regionals! The team is advancing to the National Finals in April!!! Well done to 3L John Koo, 3L Hannah Wood, and 2L Justin Martin on this amazing victory. An additional congratulations to John for winning 8th best advocate and to Justin for winning 10th best advocate. The team is coached by Charlie Shah (‘96), Emily Hopper (‘19), and Anna Saunders Knouse (‘19). Go Bulldogs!!!

09/24/2024

Moot Court: Advocacy in Action. Cumberland Moot Court alumna Julianne Zilahy Boydstun (‘19), associate at Cory Watson Attorneys, argued a qualified immunity appeal today before a 3-judge panel at the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

When asked about her experience, Boydstun shared, “I was eager to take on this challenge because of the preparation I gained as a member of Cumberland’s National Moot Court Team. The tools, discipline, and strategies I learned made me a confident advocate and empowered me to better represent my client. Being a member of the Moot Court team was by far my most valuable law school experience.”

Moot Court alums — send us a DM to share your Advocacy in Action experiences and help highlight the impact Cumberland’s Moot Court program has on the real world practice of law!

09/10/2024

02/20/2024

Register for the CLE following the final round of the Janie L. Shores Moot Court Competition on March 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
The CLE speaker is Justice Jay Mitchell. Justice Mitchell will address what the Supreme Court of Alabama and other appellate courts look for in a brief. Writing an appellate brief is an area in which justices and judges have observed many attorneys struggle with, and Justice Mitchell will be sharing the best practices to meet the bench’s expectations.

02/18/2024

A HUGE congratulations to Cumberland’s ABA Moot Court teams on their success at the National Appellate Advocacy Competition’s Las Vegas Regionals. Both teams won all three of their oral argument rounds and 3L Chotsani Holifield won Third Place Advocate at the Regional. Congrats Rascals!!!

From L to R: Coach Charlie Shah ‘96, Chotsani Holifield ‘24, Tristan Sulser ‘24, Hannah Wood ‘25, Coach Emily Hopper ‘19, John Koo ‘25, Victoria Gurol ‘25, Lauren Lester ‘24, and Coach Anna Saunders Knouse ‘19.

02/15/2024

Good luck to Cumberland’s ABA Moot Court teams as they compete in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition this week in Las Vegas!

11/01/2023

Congratulations to our National Team Members!

These members will be representing Cumberland at:
The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC),
The Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, and
The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC)

09/12/2023

Congratulations to the following individuals for their outstanding achievements in the 2023 Gordon T. Saad Competition:

John Koo, Best Oralist
Kynsley Rae Blasingame, Runner-up Oralist
Johnny Baxley, Most Outstanding Brief

The Moot Court Board is so proud of all of this year’s competitors!

09/07/2023

We hope to see you Monday for the final round of the Gordon T. Saad Moot Court Competition. This round will be judged by Justice Greg Cook and Justice Jay Mitchell of the Alabama Supreme Court and Judge Matt Fridy of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. We are so excited to hear oral arguments by our talented finalists!

02/17/2023

This weekend, 2Ls Monty Horn and Aliah Hill will represent Cumberland Moot Court at William & Mary’s 52nd Annual Spong Moot Court Competition. The team is coached by Emily Hopper (‘19) and Anna Saunders Knouse (‘19). Good luck, team!!