During February 24-26, a moot court team from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law finished in the Semifinal Round of the 2005 National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition held at Pace University School of Law, White Plains, New York.  The law student members of the University of Memphis team were Jennifer McKinnish, Kristen Menke, and Virginia Nesbitt.  This is the second year in a row that a team from the University of Memphis has finished in the Semifinal Round of this national competition.

The Competition requires three adverse teams (appellant, appellee and intervenor) to argue in each round.  Out of over 70 teams, the 27 teams with the highest combined scores for both a written brief (submitted in December) and three preliminary oral argument rounds advance to the Quarterfinal Round.  The Memphis team advanced to the Quarterfinal Round after competing in the preliminary rounds against such law schools as the University of Washington, the University of Kansas, the University of Florida, Rutgers University, Roger Williams University, and George Washington University.  Presiding judges named Kristen Menke of Memphis Best Oralist in the second of the team’s preliminary rounds.

In the Quarterfinal Round, Memphis (Jennifer McKinnish and Kristen Menke arguing on behalf of appellee) defeated Louisiana State University (a two-time defending Finalist) and the University of Detroit to advance with eight other winning schools to the Semifinal Round.  In the Semifinal Round, Memphis (Jennifer McKinnish and Kristen Menke arguing on behalf of appellee) argued against the University of Montana and Washington University of St. Louis.  Following a round described by the presiding judges as extremely close, the University of Montana advanced to the Final Round.

The Pace Competition is recognized as the preeminent environmental law moot in the United States.  A second straight Semifinal Round finish is an outstanding result which reflects most favorably on the University of Memphis law school and its students.  Congratulations to Jennifer, Kristen and Virginia.