For the second time in two years, Michigan State University College of Law’s Moot Court Program is ranked No. 1 in the country against more than 200 law schools.

In the last six years, MSU has landed in the top five of the nation’s law schools three times. To be considered the best, schools earn points for their performance at national and regional moot court competitions, which focus on both written and oral advocacy.

“MSU College of Law has once again risen to the top in Moot Court competitions,” said Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio. “A huge congratulations goes to all the students who participated as well as the many coaches and faculty mentors.

“Professor Jennifer Copland always provides outstanding leadership of the program, which consistently ranks among the best in the nation. What a wonderful way to end the semester!”

MSU had a banner year in the 2024-25 season, winning three national competitions and three regional competitions. In addition, students earned five best brief awards and two best oralist awards across national events, as well as four national semifinal finishes.

The University of Houston Law Center’s Blakely Advocacy Institute released its 2024-25 rankings on May 1.

A look inside MSU’s program

‘Practice makes perfect’ is more than a saying at MSU Law, it’s a promise. Our moot court program compels second- and third-year students to prepare briefs and argue both sides of complicated legal issues before an appellate court. It’s an intense and rewarding training ground for future lawyers.

Jennifer Copland, associate clinical professor of law and director of MSU Law’s competitions program, says teams are selected through an application and tryout process that takes place each April for the competition season that launches the following fall.

“Selected students receive experiential learning credits (on a mandatory pass/fail basis) and the opportunity to engage in rigorous and exceptional skills-building experiences.”

Depending on the type of competition, students learn advanced legal research and writing techniques and work to improve their oral argument, public speaking and negotiation skills – all while competing against other top law schools at more than 20 moot court competitions, in addition to trial, arbitration and negotiation competitions.

A hallmark of MSU’s moot court program is its community of supporters, coaches and mentors who help the teams prepare and ultimately succeed. This year, more than 25 professors, alumni, practitioners and MSU friends served as coaches and advisors across moot court, trial and arbitration competitions.

"It has been a community effort involving a lot of volunteer time from our alumni and professors who provide students with mentoring and the benefits of their substantive expertise," Copland said. "We've consistently pulled off top-tier finishes and I'm incredibly proud of the strength of our program."

Spartan Excellence in 2024-25

Each year, Copland produces a comprehensive report detailing notable successes, program highlights and participation of students, faculty and alumni. This season, more than 150 students applied for competition teams, with 89 ultimately participating on at least one team.

Below are selected highlights from the report showcasing MSU Law’s success in 2024-25.

National champions:

Fall 2024

• Amanda Igra, ’25, and Joe Greene, ’25, at the Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition, hosted at American University
• Reem Albudoor, ’25, Nicholas Langenberg, ’25, and Neelan Bosnic, ’25, at the Zehmer Workers Compensation Moot Court Competition, hosted by the Workers’ Compensation Institute
• Runner-Up Team: Olivia Tucker, ’25, and Amanda Igra, ’25
• Noah Martin, ’25, and Gabby Sheets, ’26, at the Williams Institute Moot Court Competition, hosted at the University of California, Los Angeles

Regional champions:

Spring 2025

• Joe Greene, Laura Fox, ’26, and Nichole Gertsen, ’25, at the National Appellate Advocacy Competition, hosted by the American Bar Association
• Nayeli Diaz, ’26, Joshua Kaplansky, ’26, Areiyen Hofioni, ’25, and Jessica Fox, ’26, at the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Competition, hosted by the International Trademark Association
• Nicholas Langenberg, Katherine Held, ’26, and Brandon Matthews, ’27, at the Shapero Cup Regional Moot Court Competition, hosted by the American Bankruptcy Institute

Awarded best brief:

Fall 2024

• 1st place: Amanda Igra and Joe Greene at the Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition

Spring 2025

• 1st place: Leo Kresch, ’26, Daniel Bottke, ’27, and Valerie McNamara, ’27, and 3rd place: Laura Fox, Joe Greene and Nichole Gertsen at the National Appellate Advocacy Competition
• 1st place: Nayeli Diaz, Joshua Kaplansky, Areiyen Hofioni, and Jessica Fox, at regionals of the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Competition
• 1st place: Rory Spence, ’26, Nygie Rhodes, ’26, and Anthony Spizziri, ’26, at the Wechsler Criminal Law Moot Court Competition, hosted at the University at Buffalo School of Law
• 1st place: Rachel Woods, ’26, Skyla Snable, ’26, and Amanda Igra at the National Child Welfare and Adoption Law Moot Court Competition, hosted at Capital University Law School
• 2nd place: Hannah Mahn, ’26, and Daniel Brown, ’26, at MSU Law’s Gender and Sexuality Moot Court Competition

Awarded best oralist:

Fall 2024

• 2nd place: Joe Greene and 5th place: Amanda Igra at the Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition

Spring 2025

• 1st place: Katherine Held and 2nd place: Nicholas Langenberg at the Shapero Cup Regional Moot Court Competition
• 1st place: Reem Albudoor at the Gibbons Criminal Procedural Moot Court Competition, hosted at Seton Hall Law School
• 1st place: Daniel Brown and 2nd place: Ethan Merenda, ’26, at MSU Law’s Gender and Sexuality Moot Court Competition
• 5th place: Janelle Orange, ’25, at the National Native American Law Students Moot Court Competition, hosted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

MSU edged out NYU School of Law this year to claim the #1 spot in the rankings. Other top finishers include South Texas College of Law (#3), Liberty University School of Law (#4), and Baylor University School of Law (#5).

This story originally featured on the College of Law website.