Minnesota Law Wins ABA Moot Court Regional, Best Oralist Award, and Competes at the National Rounds

Earlier this semester, Minnesota Law won the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) Regional Competition held in Philadelphia. Thirty-two teams competed for the chance to advance to the national rounds to be held in Chicago in April 2026. Two teams of Minnesota Law students performed exceptionally well, earning multiple team and individual awards. 

The Petitioner’s team of Tristen Lindell ’26, Annemarie Foy ’26, and Mariam Abboud ’27 won the regional and the 3rd-best brief at the Philadelphia Regional. By winning the regional competition, the team advanced to the national rounds, which were held in Chicago on April 9-11. The team performed exceptionally well and was universally praised by the judges.  

The Respondent team of Evan Coakley ’26, Hannah Schroeter ’26, and Georgina Tierney ’27 performed extremely well. Tierney was named the region's best oralist, out of more than 40 competitors. 

This is the second consecutive year that Minnesota Law has advanced to the national rounds. Before last year, the Law School had not advanced to the national competition in nearly twenty years. 

Hazel Bowen ’21 and Lani Rodgers coached the teams. Both coaches competed on moot court teams during law school. 

"From the very first moment we began working with these students, I knew this would be an exciting moot court season,” said Coach Rodgers. “Each student impressed me in their own way, but when they came together as a team, they were extraordinary!”