Lyon Moot Court team participates in tournament

November 14, 2005

By Eric Ramirez
Lyon College News Bureau

The Lyon College Moot Court team made it to the quarter-finals at the Southeastern Regional Tournament held in Savannah, Georgia, October 27-28.

After posting high scores that Friday, Lyon students Leila Awwad and Daniel Haney competed against Patrick Henry College in the quarter-final round and suffered a narrow loss. Patrick Henry College is has one of the premier moot court teams in the nation, according to Dr. Scott Roulier, associate professor of political science and adviser to the Lyon team.

Other Lyon competitors included Amber Hood, Ben Theilemier, Alison Sablick, Jeff Privett, Jessica Leasure and Jonathan Bunch.

Moot Court is a simulation that tests the forensic skills and legal knowledge of students. Students are split into teams of two and are required to argue both sides of a hypothetical constitutional case, basing their arguments on actual appellate court precedents.

“Win or lose, the experience of presenting oral arguments before a panel of judges is extremely valuable for our students,” Dr. Roulier said. “Moot Court hones student’s analytical abilities and gives them confidence to answer questions under intense fire – skills essential to succeeding in the field of law, as well as other life pursuits.”

Awwad and Haney performed admirably against the Patrick Henry team, but came up a few points short, he said. The other Lyon students made a good showing as well. Roulier added, “I was proud of all who participated.”

For three years in a row, Lyon’s moot court team appeared in the final round of the Arkansas Moot Court tournament. The state tournament was not held this year. Instead, Arkansas schools competed in the regional tournament in Georgia.