The Stegner Center is very proud of the three student teams who represented the S. J. Quinney College of Law at the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace Law School in New York and the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition at West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law.
Pace Team – Joshua Johnson, Chelsea Davis, James Owen, Ben Machlis
Chelsea Davis, Joshua Johnson, and James Owen represented the Stegner Center at the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace Law School. The team prevailed through the preliminary rounds, and narrowly lost in the quarterfinal rounds to the team from Ole Miss (which has won several of the last few competitions). James was named the best oralist in the team’s first round. One of the judges told Josh that he was the only person she saw during the competition who argued the problem’s complicated public trust doctrine issue in an understandable manner. Chelsea and James received similar comments from judges regarding several of their arguments as well. The Pace team was coached by University of Utah alumnus Ben Machlis, who is currently practicing environmental law at Dorsey and Whitney. Alumni Kate Tipple, an associate at Parsons Behle & Latimer, and John Robinson, currently clerking for Judge Roth at the Utah Court of Appeals, helped to coach the team.
Energy Competition Team – Connor Plant, Jennifer Horne, Catherine Danley, Kylie Orme, Will Edwards
The Stegner Center sent two teams, comprised of Kylie Cox and William Edwards, and Catherine Danley and Connor Plant, to the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition. Both student teams performed admirably in representing the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and advanced past the preliminary rounds in the face of formidable competition. Catherine Danley and Connor Plant won second best brief of the competition and advanced to the quarter final round in which the top eight teams competed. Catherine was named best oralist in the quarterfinal round. Judges called Catherine’s performance “next level,” “masterful,” and “best of the competition.” One judge told Kylie she was the best Moot Court competitor he had seen in three years. The teams were coached by University of Utah alumnus Jennifer Horne, who is currently practicing litigation and environmental law at Holland and Hart.
The Stegner Center would not be able to support sending teams to these competitions without the generosity of our donors. The donors include Chevron, ClydeSnow, the ENREL Section of the Utah State Bar, Jason Groenewold, Holland & Hart, Ben Machlis, Jim Moore, Lear & Lear L.L.P., Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, Richards Brandt Miller Nelson, and Helen Serrassio.
Finally, the Stegner Center and the coaches appreciate the judges who graciously shared their time and expertise to prepare the students for the competition. Judges include Robert Adler, Steve Alder, Jeff Appel, Tim Bagshaw, Jared Bennett, Sarah Carlquist, Robin Craig, Lincoln Davies, Chelsea Davis, A. John Davis, Will Hains, Greg Hansen, Christopher Hogle, James Holtkamp, Megan Houdeshel, Robert H. Hughes, Cameron Johnson, Steve Jones, Victoria Lumen, Ben Machlis, Mike Malmquist, Michael McCarthy, Judge Carolyn McHugh, Megan McKay, Sam Meziani, Doug Naftz, Meg Osswald, Jonathan Pappasideris, Nora R. Pincus, Melissa Reynolds, Bill Richards, John Ruple, Rod Smith, Jason D. Steiert, Engels Tejeda, Kate Tipple, Judge Frederic Voros, and Ashley Walker.