Congratulations to 2L students John Zenger, Elisabeth Morris Oakes, and Amberlee Dredge for their strong performance in the International Moot Court Competition in Law & Religion, which took place at St. John’s University Center in Rome, Italy, 13–14 March. The competition brings together teams from U.S. and European universities to argue an unsettled issue of law and religion before a panel representing either the U.S. Supreme Court or the European Court of Human Rights. In the single-round competition, Elisabeth and John argued before a SCOTUS panel against oralists from Harvard. Other teams hailed from Pepperdine, Cardozo, Emory, and St. John’s Law Schools, as well as universities in Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, and Poland. Now in its ninth year, the competition is organized by Italian law professors and sponsored by BYU Law’s International Center for Law and Religion Studies.
“I had the privilege of working with an exceptional team and professors in preparation for International Moot Court. My time in Rome was particularly meaningful, as I engaged with law students from around the world, learned from distinguished judges, and witnessed passionate advocacy for religious freedom.” ~Amberlee Dredge
“The International Moot Court competition was one of the most rewarding of my law school experience. The team was amazing to work with; Amberlee and Elisabeth are fantastic writers and thinkers. We walked away with more friends, more experience, and more respect for religious freedom.” ~John Zenger
“Law school has a way of making my world feel small. I often feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure if I measure up. I compare myself to others and lose sight of the fact that I belong here too. In the rush to keep up, I forget that this education is a privilege—and that my purpose is to advocate for others.
Competing in the International Moot Court Competition changed that. Hearing students from the United States and Europe advocate with passion for a higher cause reminded me why I chose the law in the first place. It restored my sense of purpose and was, in every sense, a gift.” ~ Elisabeth Oakes