AUWCL Students Make Waves at Environmental Law Competition
AUWCL Students Emerge Quarterfinalists at the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) students Zachary Bloom (3L), Kim Hayes (3L), and Mathew Bodden (2L) demonstrated their exceptional advocacy skills, arguing their way to the quarterfinals at the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC). Hosted in February by Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, New York, the event brought together top legal minds in environmental law.
Under the guidance of Professor Bill Snape, director of the Program on Environmental and Energy Law at AUWCL, the trio received commendation for their diligent efforts and unwavering commitment.
“It was a true pleasure to coach these three motivated law students,” Snape said. “I’m not at all surprised that they performed well given the hard work they put into the competition. They each and all have promising futures as American University Washington College of Law graduates.”
The competition included 58 teams and more than 116 oralists. Hayes earned recognition as the best oralist in two of her preliminary rounds.
“When you find yourself around so many intelligent and well-spoken people and you're able to get recognized for your hard work, it feels good,” Hayes said. “You work really hard. I think we all did. We watched ourselves get better with every argument. It felt like, wow, my labor paid off.”
The competition has a unique format where three teams argue opposing viewpoints, simulating complex real-world litigation scenarios. The students submitted written appellate briefs and then competed in four rounds of oral arguments. In their initial brief, the team presented the Federal Energy Regulatory (FERC) Commission against a gas pipeline company known as “Transnational Gas Pipelines, LLC” and a community faith-based non-profit organization referred to as “Holy Order of Mother Earth.”
Bodden noted that the competition directly contributed to his professional achievements.
“Coincidentally, I was applying to an internship at FERC the week right after we wrote our issue brief as them," he said. "I think it gave me a real edge in the process because I’m now interning in their legal department. My family is from the Caribbean Island, Grand Cayman, and I grew up respecting the ocean and felt passionate about renewable energy. I decided to take a leap and pursue my passion for environmental justice in the middle of starting my professional marketing journey. I feel so lucky for opportunities like this one that have been stepping stones to accessing professional opportunities where I can make an impact larger than myself.”
The team members' propensity to engage in litigation in each of their personal career goals solidified the oration skills that brought them to the quarterfinals.
“I did an internship with Eerie County, Buffalo District Attorney’s Office the summer after my first year at WCL and I loved it," Bloom said. "It motivated me to take up opportunities like moot court at law school to sharpen my litigation skills. I think climate justice is an issue of our time and it’s something I want to be a part of.”
The passion and dedication exhibited by these students exemplify the core values of AUWCL's educational philosophy.
Story by Hasini Jayawardena.