SU Law students capture Thomas Tang Moot Court title for second consecutive year

SU Law students capture Thomas Tang Moot Court title for second consecutive yearOctober 26, 2006Jaclyn D. Grossojgrosso@law.syr.edu

For the second consecutive year, students in Syracuse University’s College of Law defeated 15 other law schools and claimed the title of Northeast Regional Champion in the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, held in New York City Oct. 21-22. Also, for the first time in the competition’s history, two students — third-year Richard Ahn and second-year Shannon Ashford — tied for Best Oralist, as well as winning the Best Brief Award.

After the preliminary rounds, the College of Law teams composed of 1) Richard Ahn and Shannon Ashford, and 2) Jona Cosio and Salman Ravala placed first and second, respectively. Cosio and Ravala advanced to the semi-finals. The students were coached by Catherine Fang, Liling Poh and Julie Lu.

The Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA) began the Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition in 1993. The competition honors the late Judge Thomas Tang, a champion of individual rights, an advocate for the advancement of minority attorneys, and an ardent supporter of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the moot court competition. Judge Tang served on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1977 until his death in 1995.

The competition is designed to attract Asian American law students and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their writing and oral advocacy skills and compete for scholarships.

The national competition will be held in Philadelphia on Nov. 9-12.