Students

2022 Louis V. Fasulo First Year Moot Court Competition Provides Rich Learning Experience

Posted
December 19, 2022
Lou Fasulo with finalists from first year moot court competition

On Saturday and Sunday, March 19–20, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University united for the Louis V. Fasulo First Year Moot Court Competition, held in-person for the first time since 2019. The 2022 Louis V. Fasulo First Year Moot Court Competition is the Advocacy Program's principal source for recruiting outstanding advocates for Haub Law’s highly competitive Moot Court Program. The Competition was named after Professor Louis V. Fasulo, Director of Advocacy Programs, for his long and outstanding work with the program.

Over 270 first year students prepared and presented successful arguments in front of Haub Law Advocacy Board members, attorneys, and alumni. This year’s overall winner of the Competition was Daniel Conte with Charles Caspari placing second. Rounding out the top four were competitors Daniel Reyes and Maggie Yee. All of the 1L competitors put their best foot forward in completing this incredible learning experience, which resulted in a very competitive and exciting competition. The students impressed the judges with their knowledge of the law and their overall professionalism and preparedness. It was clear from the student performances that the Legal Skills Professors worked diligently with their students to perfect the art of advocacy.

Winner of the competition, Daniel Conte, stated, “My classmates and I prepared all semester by researching and writing the appellate brief. As a result, I knew the arguments very well, however, during the competition it was really about being comfortable with speaking to judges and showing them that we knew and understood the arguments and facts of the case perfectly. I had never participated in a competition like this, so I didn’t know what to expect regarding the questions and demeanor of the judges, but as the day went on, my classmates and I felt more comfortable being up at the podium. I certainty did not expect to win, and I am still a bit shocked. It was an eye-opening experience and I look forward to getting involved with more trial and appellate advocacy on campus.”

To prepare for the competition, the Haub Law Advocacy Honor Board pre-mooted over 100 rounds of practice for the 1L students, taking much of that responsibility were the Internal Competitions Directors, Michaela Petersen and Marlene Geerinck who worked tirelessly in administering, coordinating, and overseeing the entire competition weekend. Additionally, the entire Advocacy Board, led by Mattison Stewart, Regina Rubino, Angelo Spedafino, Kye Shah, and Kiefer Campbell exemplified for the 1L students the rich learning environment at the law school and our community. A team effort, there were over 30 volunteers from the Advocacy Program and other organizations who assisted as bailiffs for the competition, set up, organization, and otherwise over the course of the entire weekend. This was in addition to the over 70 attorney and alumni volunteers who served as judges. Additionally, Professors Michelle Simon and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Law Operations Jill Gross offered guidance, confidence, and support throughout. Themis Bar Review generously sponsored the Competition providing bar preparation credit to each of the winners.

This year’s Top 4 Finalists are as follows:

  1. Daniel Conte
  2. Charles Caspari
  3. Daniel Reyes
  4. Maggie Yee

Our Top 8 Competitors:

  • Charles Caspari
  • Courtney Henf
  • Daniel Conte
  • Daniel Reyes
  • Hannah Atkinson
  • Kaila Pugliese
  • Lena Constable
  • Maggie Yee

Our Top 24 Competitors:

  • Amanda Dinkin
  • Cady Drell
  • Charles Caspari
  • Courtney Henf
  • Dane Gesang
  • Daniel Conte
  • Daniel Reyes
  • Haleigh Catalano
  • Hannah Atkinson
  • Kaila Pugliese
  • Kim Abrahall
  • Laurel Jobe
  • Lena Constable
  • Maggie Yee
  • Marco Del Grosso
  • Matthew Mattesi
  • Michael Kayal
  • Nicholas Lamari
  • Peter Cella
  • Remila Jasharllari
  • Rita Flanagan
  • Sabrina Rehfeld
  • Sheila Tapia
  • Theresa Persico

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s trial advocacy program is ranked #24 in the nation according to the 2022 U.S. News and World report rankings.