Story originally published on the MSU College of Law website.

For the second time in four years, MSU College of Law Moot Court program is ranked No. 1 among 100 law schools in the country.

“Our law students continue to soar,” said Interim Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio. “It takes untold hours of preparation and considerable courage. Finishing the year in the number one spot raises the reputation of MSU as a school preparing lawyers ready to serve the diverse communities of Michigan and the Nation.”

Participating in Moot Court competitions is an important way to prepare for careers in the legal field and often leads to sought-after job offers, Sant’Ambrogio said.

Jake Putala served as president of the student-led Board of Advocates, which developed mentoring and other support programs to encourage law students to compete and prepare them for success.

He credits this work with helping him land a clerkship with Michigan State Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement.

“All five moot court competitions that I competed in involved researching and writing briefs as well as arguing difficult issues on appeal,” Putala said. “This trained me to think critically about the law and summarize tough legal problems both orally and in writing.”

MSU Law is tied with the University of California San Francisco, regularly finishes first or second in the nation.

Additionally, several students received top honors at the competitions in which they took part:

Top Oralist Awards:

• Shawn Brew, 3L, BOA VP. Buffalo Wechsler Criminal Law Competition (March)
• Reem Albudoor, 2L, incoming BOA VP. ABA National Appellate Advocacy Comp (April)

Best Brief Awards:

• Abby Treadwell, 3L; and John-Weston Franke, 3L, American University’s Wechsler First Amendment Competition (Nov.)
• Jake Putala, 3L; and Shawn Brew, 3L, Buffalo Wechsler Criminal Law Competition (March)
• Emma Haiser, 2L; and Tessa Phillips, 2L, MSU College of Law Gender and Sexuality Competition (March)