/ National Animal Law Competitions/Past Competitions

National Animal Law Competition (NALC)

“The National Animal Law Competitions allows students with a passion for advocacy specifically related to animal issues, to hone their skills to become better advocates. I have always enjoyed advocating for people who could not speak for themselves. By competing in the National Animal Law Competitions, I learned how to craft compelling arguments and learn how to present animal law issues to people who may not be as informed of the challenges that animals face. I enjoyed my time as a competitor so much that I signed up with Animal Legal Defense Fund and have assisted The John Marshall Law School as a coach for students competing in the National Animal Law Competitions. One of the greatest testaments of NALC is that it allows law students who are unaware of the plight of companion animals, farm animals, or even animals subjected to experiments, to become better stewards of those entrusted to our care. There is nothing like watching students evolve from supporters of animal issues to advocates of animal issues.” –Anthony Sam, JD, former competitor
“As a trial lawyer for more than 25 years I was very impressed with the quality of the closing arguments of all the competitors. They performed at a level I would expect of a third year prosecutor, not a law student. And the winner was absolutely fantastic, particularly in her ability to think on her feet during the final round. Finding law students interested in not just the issue but bringing those who abuse animals to justice is particularly meaningful for those of us who have been working, often seemingly alone, in animal welfare enforcement.” –Josh Marquis, JD
“My partner and I chose to come back to NALC because we had such a great experience last year– thoughtful judges, a well-run competition, and thought-provoking practice problems. Connecting with animal law professionals and supportive members of the bench has been a great benefit of this competition and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.” –Anna Bennett, UC Irvine Law 3L
“It is really amazing to practice real skills and get feedback from the most important scholars and practitioners in animal law. The competition fosters relationships between competitors but also amongst the staff and judges.” –Stefanie Wilson, UC Irvine Law 3L
Overview Registration Problems Rules Schedule Archive

Friday, February 15

6:00 p.m. Meeting with All Competitors and Coaches

Registration, Q&A Session

Review of closing argument visual aids

Pound Hall, Room 335 (Third Floor)

Refreshments Provided

7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Meeting with Judges, Jurors, Timekeepers, and Volunteers

Pound Hall, John Chipman Gray Room (Second Floor)

Refreshments Provided

Saturday, February 16

8:30 - 9:55 Moot Court Preliminary Round 1

Hauser 101: Team 1 v. 2

Judges: Sarah Luick, Bonnie Robson, Odette Wilkins

Timekeeper: LT Ciaccio

Hauser 103: Team 3 v. 4

Judges: Kathy Hessler, Daniel Kinburn, Paul Waldau

Timekeeper: Jessica Corsi

10:00 - 11:25 Moot Court Preliminary Round 1

Hauser 101: Team 5 v. 6

Judges: David Cassutto, Kathy Hessler, Mariann Sullivan

Timekeeper: Jennifer Wang

Hauser 103: 7 v. 8

Judges: Ethan Eddy, Peter Gollub, Odette Wilkins

Timekeeper: Maggie Colvin

Hauser 105: Team 9 v. 10

Judges: Len Egert, Sarah Luick, Delci Winders

Timekeeper: Rebecca Cary

10:00 - 11:25 Closing Arguments

Hauser 104: 1, 2, 3

Judges: Scott Beckstead, Robert Fennessy, Chris Green, Robert Kruse, Ginny Mikita, Jami Pannell,

Timekeeper: Katherine Lin

11:30-1:00 Moot Court Preliminary Round 1

Hauser 101: Team 11 v. 12

Judges: Len Egert, Jeff Kerr, David Wolfson

Timekeeper: Marissa Dirks

Hauser 103: 13 v. 14

Judges: Nancy Perry, Peter Petersan, Peter Gollub

Timekeeper: Katherine Katz

Hauser 105: Team 15 v. 16

Judges: Bonnie Robson, Amy Trakinski, Delci Winders

Timekeeper: Catie Black

11:30 - 1:00 Closing Arguments

Hauser 104: 4, 5, 6, 7

Judges: Scott Beckstead, Robert Fennessy, Chris Green, Robert Kruse, Ginny Mikita, Jami Pannell

Timekeeper: Katherine Lin

1:00-2:00 Lunch Break

2:00-3:25 Moot Court Preliminary Round 2

Hauser 101: Team 1 v. 17

Judges: David Cassuto, Kathy Hessler, Jeff Kerr

Timekeeper: Katherine Katz

Hauser 103: Team 3 v. 10

Judges: Ethan Eddy, Dan Kinburn, Nancy Perry

Timekeeper: Felicia McPharland

Hauser 105: Team 5 v. 8

Judges: Peter Gollub, Delci Winders, David Wolfson

Timekeeper: Marisa Miller Wolfson

2:00-3:25 Closing Arguments

Hauser 104: 8, 9, 10, 11

Judges: Scott Beckstead, Robert Fennessy, Chris Green, Robert Kruse, Ginny Mikita, Jami Pannell

Timekeeper: Alison Meeker Schiebelhut

3:30-4:55 Moot Court Preliminary Round 2

Hauser 101: 7 v. 16

Judges: Len Egert, Jeff Kerr, Dan Kinburn

Timekeeper: Alison Meeker Schiebelhut

Hauser 103: 9 v. 12

Judges: Peter Petersan, Mariann Sullivan, Paul Waldau

Timekeeper: Erin Mallard

Hauser 105: 11 v. 4

Judges: Nancy Perry, Amy Trakinski, Odette Wilkins

Timekeeper: Felicia McPharland

3:30 - 4:55 Closing Arguments

Hauser 104: 12, 13, 14

Judges: Scott Beckstead, Robert Fennessy, Chris Green, Robert Kruse, Ginny Mikita, Jami Pannell

Timekeeper: Taki Flevaris

5:00 - 6:30 Moot Court Preliminary Round 2

Hauser 101: 13 v. 2

Judges: Mariann Sullivan, Amy Trakinski, Paul Waldau

Timekeeper: Alison Meeker Schiebelhut

Hauser 103: 15 v. 14

Judges: David Cassuto, Sarah Luick, Bonnie Robson

Timekeeper: Jason Silver

Hauser 105: 17 v. 6

Judges: Ethan Eddy, Peter Petersan, David Wolfson

Timekeeper: Marisa Miller Wolfson

6:30-8:30 Banquet in John Chipman Gray Room Announcement of

Moot Court Semi-Finalists and Closing Argument Finalists

Sunday, February 17

9:15 - 10:30 Moot Court Semi-Final Round

Austin West

Judges: Ethan Eddy, Sarah Luick, David Wolfson

Timekeeper: Marisa Miller Wolfson

9:15 - 10:30 Moot Court Semi-Final Round

Austin North

Judges: Peter Petersan, Mariann Sullivan, Amy Trakinski

Timekeeper: Marissa Dirks

10:30 - 12:00 Closing Arguments Contest Final Round

Austin Ames Courtroom

Judges: Laura Ireland Moore, Robert Fennessy, Chris Green, Robert Kruse, Ginny Mikita, Jami Pannell

Timekeeper: Katherine Lin

12:00-1:00 Moot Court Final Round

Austin Ames Courtroom

Judges: Len Egert, Nancy Perry, Paul Waldau

Timekeeper: Alison Meeker Schiebelhut

1:00-1:30 Awards Reception

Ames Courtroom

Center for Animal Law Studies is located in Wood Hall on the Law Campus.
MSC: 51

email cals@lclark.edu

voice 503-768-6960

Center for Animal Law Studies
Lewis & Clark Law School
10101 S. Terwilliger Boulevard MSC 51
Portland OR 97219