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| By MARC BOHN, George Washington |
On January 26-27, 2007, the George Washington University J. Reuben Clark Law Society inaugurated the first annual GW National Religious Freedom Moot Court. Twelve teams from across the country participated in this year’s Moot Court, which featured twenty prominent religious freedom scholars, practitioners, and judges presiding over the oral argument rounds. The final round was judged by the Honorable John Rogers of the 6th Circuit, the Honorable Kent Jordan of the 3rd Circuit, and Georgetown Profressor Marty Lederman, the former Advisor on Religious Freedom Issues for the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel.
This year’s competition problem focused on a current controversy involving the rights of a religiously oriented student society organized at a law school which receives substantial federal funds. The “University of Lexington” revoked the charter of its Islamic Law Student Society, because the Society restricted voting membership on religious and moral grounds, including issues of sexual orientation, in violation of the University’s nondiscrimination policy. The Society’s President brought suit to enjoin the University from revoking the organization’s charter.
What really made the competition a success was how well prepared the participating teams were. Their preparation translated into very strong oral argument rounds. All of our judges, well-versed in religious freedom law, were impressed with both the Moot Court problem and the competitor arguments, and nearly all expressed a desire to participate again next year. The four teams which advanced past Friday’s preliminary rounds to the Saturday morning semi-finals were Florida State University, George Washington University, Brigham Young University, and the University of Richmond.
The final round featured Andrew Collins and Mitch Park of Brigham Young University arguing against Nathan Prince and Brian Sites of Florida State University, with Florida State University winning the competition. In addition to the chance to study and argue current religious freedom issues, the Moot Court gave participating students several opportunities to interact with the competition judges, including a Saturday afternoon lunch before the final round of arguments and a closing reception.
Everyone seemed to come away happy. Of the event, semi-finalist David Slocum from the University of Richmond wrote: “In addition to a very well written problem, the competition organizers enlisted a collection of very knowledgeable and distinguished judges. [S]ince it was in D.C., there were teams from schools from around the country. I found competing in this competition to be a great experience.” Brian Sites, a member of the winning Florida State team, told us: “We had a great time and thought yours was one of the best-run, if not the best-run competition we’ve seen or heard about.”
Among the judges, Judge Rogers thanked us for putting on the Moot Court, saying: “It was rewarding to me in several ways.” Judge Jordan said: “Thanks again for the chance to work with you and your colleagues on the moot court competition. It was a true pleasure.” Art Spitzer, Legal Director for the ACLU’s National Capital Area and semi-final round Judge, thanked us and said: “I thought the case was very well put together and (from the half day I saw) the competition was very well run. My compliments on an impressive feat, considering you only started in September!”
By any measure, the competition was a resounding success. The idea for the Moot Court was hatched just last summer, and we didn’t start substantive preparations until mid-August, so the fact that it even ended up happening is remarkable in itself. The foundation is now set and the Chapter is already knee-deep in preparations for next year. For those interested in participating, registration will be in September, and the Competition is slated for February 29-March 1, 2008. Check in with www.religiousfreedommootcourt.org over the summer for details and sign up for the email list. |
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