Pace Haub Law Trial Advocacy Team Competes in Prestigious ICC Moot Court Competition in The Hague

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Trial Advocacy Team recently competed in the prestigious IBA International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (IBA ICCMCC) held in the Hague. This remarkable accomplishment comes after the team qualified as a finalist in March during the 2025 Regional Round for the Americas and the Caribbean of the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (ICC Moot). The impressive Law School Trial Advocacy Team included Priscilla Holloway, Sophie Bacas, Tenzin Lhamo, Victoria Perretti, and Jacob Cannon; the team was coached by Brad Gorson ‘13, Stephanie Areford ‘24, and David Anderson.

Pace Haub Law enjoys a strong history with the ICC Moot as it was first organized in 2004 by Professors Emeritus Gayl S. Westerman and Matthew E. Brotmann. At the time, the moot was the world’s only moot court competition based on the law and procedures of the newly created ICC, the first permanent international tribunal dedicated to the prosecution of international criminal offenses. Since 2004, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has grown, and the Competition has grown with it. In 2014, Pace Haub Law partnered with the International Criminal Court and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University to create a global competition, the ICC Moot Court Competition, which is held annually in The Hague, Netherlands, with the final round judged at the ICC itself by ICC judges and legal officers. More recently, in 2017, the ICC Moot started its collaboration with the International Bar Association (IBA), and in 2020 the IBA became a name partner in the Competition. Each year, the qualifying rounds are hosted on the Pace Haub Law campus. This year marks the first time in 12 years that the Law School sent a team to continue to compete in the Competition in the Hague. Pace Haub Law Professor Alexander K.A. Greenawalt serves as faculty director of the Moot.

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“This was an incredible opportunity for our Law School and its student advocates,” said Coach Brad Gorson ’13. “This year’s Trial Advocacy Team who traveled to the Hague to compete dedicated months of hard work and preparation in advance of the Competition. On behalf of all of the coaches, we are beyond proud of the work our team put in to get to the Hague and showcase the strength of the Pace Haub Law Advocacy Program.” The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is home to a top ranked trial advocacy program. In 2025, it was ranked #19 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“The Competition was an incredible experience,” shared recent graduate Priscilla Holloway, who competed on the team as a 3L. “We were brought face-to-face with some of the world’s most talented law student advocates. We argued against teams from Cambodia, Kenya, Ghana, China, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, each bringing their own legal traditions and perspectives to the courtroom. It was a transformative experience.”

The experience taught us that international criminal law isn't just about abstract legal principles—it's about grappling with humanity's worst impulses while striving to build systems of accountability that can transcend national boundaries.

Priscilla continued, “What struck me most about the competition was how it illustrated the real-world impact of these legal concepts. The experience taught us that international criminal law isn't just about abstract legal principles—it's about grappling with humanity's worst impulses while striving to build systems of accountability that can transcend national boundaries. Competing alongside students from around the world reinforced that despite our different backgrounds and legal systems, we shared a common commitment to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice on a global scale.” The ultimate winner of this year’s Competition was Singapore Management University.

“I am tremendously proud of both the students and coaches who placed highly in the ICC Moot Regional Round held on the Pace Haub Law campus which qualified the team to travel to compete in the premiere international competition held in The Hague,” Professor Louis Fasulo, Director of Advocacy Programs and Professor of Trial Practice. “Our advocacy program continues to soar to new heights every single year and this is another testament to that. Thanks to the dedication of our students, coaches, and law school, the limits of our program are endless.”