After four prior rounds, the finalists for the 2023 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition were determined. Meet all four finalists and learn more about their experiences at GW Law. The final round will take place on Thursday, January 26. See more information about the final round here.
Lauren Arquette, for petitioners
1. How does it feel to be a finalist in the 2023 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition?
It feels very rewarding to be a part of the Van Vleck finals and humbling when I think about all of the amazing competitors and judges I've met along the way. I remember watching Van Vleck last year and thinking how incredible of an opportunity it would be to make the finals, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. The fact that it has actually happened feels surreal and I'm very thankful to GW for the opportunity.
2. Is there a particular class or experience at GW Law that has helped you prepare for this competition?
Fundamentals of Lawyering, Constitutional Law, and the first year advocacy competitions provided particularly helpful background skills and experiences going into this competition. Both Fundamentals of Lawyering and Constitutional Law challenged me to think in new ways and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. The first year advocacy competitions, particularly mock trial and moot court, helped me gain confidence as a public speaker and develop a passion for litigation.
Kathryn Belkin, for respondent
1. How does it feel to be a finalist in the 2023 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition?
I feel extremely excited and grateful to be a finalist and get the opportunity to participate in this competition with my teammate!
2. Is there a particular class or experience at GW Law that has helped you prepare for this competition?
My experience in the Family Justice Litigation Clinic greatly helped me prepare for the competition. Getting to speak before judges in D.C. Superior Court on behalf of a client greatly strengthened my oral advocacy skills and confidence!
Julia Dacy, for respondent
1. How does it feel to be a finalist in the 2023 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition?
I'm thrilled to be a Van Vleck finalist. This year's problem is very timely, which has helped make each round interesting. I'm looking forward to the competition, and it will be an honor to argue in front of such an esteemed panel of judges.
2. Is there a particular class or experience at GW Law that has helped you prepare for this competition?
I watched the Van Vleck finals during my 1L year for Fundamentals of Lawyering. That, coupled with the 1L Moot Court Competition, piqued my interest in litigation and oral advocacy. I also competed in a media law moot court competition through the Student Press Law Center during my 1L summer, which helped me improve my oral advocacy skills and introduced me to practitioners in my field. I'd encourage anyone interested in moot court to seek both internal and external opportunities to compete.
Anastasia Foley, for petitioners
1. How does it feel to be a finalist in the 2023 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition?
I’m thrilled to be a Van Vleck finalist and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to do it with. I’m honored and grateful to have received support, advice, and well-wishes from my peers, the advocacy program, and law school faculty. I’ve learned so much throughout this process, and I can’t wait to celebrate the hard work of all of the competitors at the Finals later this month.
2. Is there a particular class or experience at GW Law that has helped you prepare for this competition?
The first-year Fundamentals of Lawyering program thoroughly prepared me to pursue this upper-level moot court opportunity. I felt confident in my ability to compete in Van Vleck because Fundamentals of Lawyering taught me how to combine a well-researched written brief with a persuasive oral argument in order to present an effective theory of the case to a panel of judges.
