College of Law hosts First Year International Law competitors

Syracuse University College of Law welcomes students from five law schools for the First Year International Law Competition March 19-21. The competition will introduce future lawyers to basic principles of international law, expose students to a larger overview of public international law, and provide an opportunity for first-year law students to begin to learn the art of oral advocacy. This year, two Canadian law schools, Queens College and Osgoode Hall, as well as SU, Cornell University and the University at Buffalo, will compete in this exclusive event.

“The competition provides a valuable learning experience for the students,” says Lucille Rignanese, legal writing professor and co-organizer of the competition. “The students are not only taught the art of advocacy, but respect for the court, opposing counsel and the legal system.”

The competition was created by SU law school faculty members more than 20 years ago. It is the only international moot court competition for first-year law students in the country.

Awards will be presented to the schools placing first and second in the competition based on the composite scores of their eight oralists. Awards will also be presented to the oralist who received the top five scores based on the cumulative scores of the judges.