HELENA, MT — Carroll College celebrated the successful completion of its first fall season of Moot Court competition since the program relaunched this year, with all three Carroll teams competing at American Moot Court Association (AMCA) regional tournaments throughout November.
The six students representing Carroll this fall included:
- Hadley Wilcox (junior, Kennewick, WA) and John Goodwin (junior, Helena, MT) at the South Texas Regional in Fort Worth, Texas, November 1–2
- Ella Kuenzli (senior, Bigfork, MT) and Michael Faccenda (sophomore, Great Falls, MT) at the Drake Regional in Des Moines, Iowa, November 14–15
- Kate Wilkins (sophomore, Holladay, UT) and Reagan Long (sophomore, Livingston, MT) at the Southern California Regional at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, November 22–23
Across all three competitions, Carroll students gained firsthand experience in appellate-style advocacy, presenting arguments before panels of judges, and engaging with challenging legal questions. Each tournament Carroll faced competition with long-established programs from across the country, offering students valuable preparation for future seasons.
Professor Kristine D. Kuenzli, J.D., who leads the program, shared her pride in the accomplishments of the new team. "I am incredibly proud of all of our Moot Court Team members. This newly restarted team represented Carroll College with a grace and excellence that far transcended their results. These students argued with intellectual rigor, supported one another with genuine charity, and embodied the very best of fraternal correction and encouragement. They grew remarkably in legal reasoning, poise under pressure, and above all in the camaraderie that comes from pursuing truth together. We look forward to building on the experiences from this year."
Students echoed this sense of growth and community throughout the season.
“This was my first Moot Court competition. I was at first worried because I was very new to it,” said John Goodwin. “After each round I would pick up new ideas and critiques that helped me become more comfortable. This is one of the best experiences I have had at Carroll, and I am very appreciative of our coaches and the college for supporting us.”
“Being able to practice and then compete for Moot Court in Iowa was an amazing experience,” said Ella Kuenzli. “It taught me how to synthesize law cases, prepare an oral argument, effectively deliver that argument, and field difficult questions. These skills will greatly benefit me as I apply to law school and pursue my future career.”
Reflecting on the final regional of the fall, Reagan Long added, “This tournament was a fantastic opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge I have developed through the Carroll College Moot Court program in a truly competitive setting. Delivering oral arguments alongside other teams has been both challenging and rewarding, and this experience has fostered a strong sense of community among my teammates and our dedicated coaches.”
Carroll’s Moot Court program gives undergraduates the opportunity to participate in simulated appellate advocacy, strengthening their abilities in legal reasoning, public speaking, and critical analysis. Students engage in a yearlong academic and practical preparation cycle. During the spring semester, PO 380: Appellate Advocacy introduces them to Moot Court through detailed case analysis and foundational argumentation techniques. In the fall, PO 380: Moot Court focuses on case preparation, brief writing, and oral argument practice leading up to AMCA regional competitions.
Each year, the American Moot Court Association hosts about twenty regional qualifying tournaments nationwide. Two-person teams argue fictional appellate cases before judges who evaluate competitors on clarity, responsiveness, persuasiveness, and courtroom professionalism. The top 25 percent of teams advance to the National Championship Tournament.
As the first fall season of the program’s relaunch concludes, Carroll College celebrates the students whose dedication and teamwork have laid the foundation for a strong and expanding Moot Court tradition in the years ahead.
To learn more, visit www.carroll.edu/moot-court-team.
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Pictured top to bottom, left to right:
Assistant Coach Sam Martin, J.D., Coach Kristine Kuenzli, J.D.
Kate Wilkins, Reagan Long, Michael Faccenda, Hadley Wilcox
Ella Kuenzli, John Goodwin