Paul, Weiss Frederick Douglass Moot Court Team Post Strong Showing at Nationals
New York, April 13, 2015—After finishing first, second, and third at the 2014-2015 Northeast Region of the National Black Law Students Association Convention, the Paul, Weiss Frederick Douglass Moot Court teams at Columbia Law School won further recognition at nationals over spring break.
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| Nico Gurian '17, left, and Jachele M. Velez '17 took second place. Velez also won best oral advocate. |
The competition began with more than 80 teams from law schools across the country. Only 18 teams—the top three from each of six regions—advanced to the national rounds in Portland, Oregon. Columbia Law School's teams—made up entirely of 1L students—faced fierce competition from 2L and 3L competitors. Nevertheless, three of the top four spots went to Columbia Law School teams: Nico Gurian ’17 and Jachele M. Velez ’17 took second; Victor O. Obasaju ’17 and Nicole E. Smith ’17 took third; and Courtney E. Hodge ’17 and Jacob G. Lewis ’17 took fourth. Velez also won best oral advocate.
The Columbia Law School teams are coached by Catherine J. Djang ’16 and Archan J. Hazra ’16. Emily H. Harris ’16, Demi Lorant ’16, and Thomas Q. Swanson ’16 are the teams’ brief editors. Lecturer-in-law Tope Yusuf ’08 teaches the Frederick Douglass Legal Practice Workshop, while Professor Philip M. Genty serves as program director for the Paul, Weiss Moot Court Program, which also includes the Harlan Fiske Stone Moot Court, the Foundation Moot Court, and several other national moot court competitions.
The Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, held annually since 1975 by the National Black Law Students Association, focuses primarily on public law, civil rights, and topics of particular relevance to students of color. Columbia Law School’s participation is made possible by the generous support of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and the Columbia Black Law Students Association.
The Columbia Law School teams are coached by Catherine J. Djang ’16 and Archan J. Hazra ’16. Emily H. Harris ’16, Demi Lorant ’16, and Thomas Q. Swanson ’16 are the teams’ brief editors. Lecturer-in-law Tope Yusuf ’08 teaches the Frederick Douglass Legal Practice Workshop, while Professor Philip M. Genty serves as program director for the Paul, Weiss Moot Court Program, which also includes the Harlan Fiske Stone Moot Court, the Foundation Moot Court, and several other national moot court competitions.
The Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, held annually since 1975 by the National Black Law Students Association, focuses primarily on public law, civil rights, and topics of particular relevance to students of color. Columbia Law School’s participation is made possible by the generous support of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and the Columbia Black Law Students Association.
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| (l) Victor O. Obasaju '17 and Nicole E. Smith '17 took third, while (r) Courtney E. Hodge '17 and Jacob G. Lewis '17 took fourth. |