DETROIT - A Wayne State University Law School moot court team is among the top 16 in the nation after competing in the ABA's National Appellate Advocacy Competition National Finals in Chicago April 11-13.

Competitors were third-year students Matthew Cassar, Hayley Johnson and Ahmad Sabbagh. The team was coached by Wayne Law faculty member Amy Neville.

Wayne Law's team placed in the top 16 after advancing out of the preliminary rounds. Johnson took home the award for Fourth Best Brief in the nation.

The team qualified for the national finals in March at the regional competition in Washington, D.C. where they placed in the top four teams and Cassar placed among the top ten oralists. 182 teams from 111 law schools across the country competed in the regional rounds.

One of the most prestigious moot court competitions in the country, the ABA's National Appellate Advocacy Competition emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. Moot court competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court.

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Contact: Kaylee Place

Phone: 313-577-4629

Email: kaylee.place@wayne.edu