KU News Release

KU law students excel in regional international moot court competition

Michael Lee, left, holding the plaque he won for being deemed best oral advocate; and Parag Mehta

LAWRENCE — Two University of Kansas law students advanced to the semifinals of the regional rounds of the International Environmental Moot Court Competition held Jan. 23-24 at the Santa Clara (Calif.) University School of Law.

Teammates and second-year students Michael Lee and Parag Mehta submitted a brief and made oral arguments on a complex hypothetical problem involving issues of over-fishing, territorial boundaries and the use of force — all under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. Lee and Mehta advanced in the competition to the point just short of the final rounds, and Lee was named the tournament’s top oral advocate.

“It was a good opportunity to hone written and oral advocacy skills and to meet and network with students from other law schools, professors, attorneys and judges,” Lee said of the experience.

For Mehta, the competition provided a chance to explore an area of the law he might not have considered otherwise.

“Every time I learn something new in the legal realm, it always opens up possibilities” for career paths, he said.

The Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition began in 1996 to raise awareness about international environmental challenges. The event, sponsored by the Stetson University College of Law, has grown to include regional competitions in Australia, Latin America, North America, North India, South India and Southeast Asia, with more than 80 teams competing from law schools around the world. The participants’ briefs are evaluated by international environmental legal experts.

Participation in the competition is an important element of the KU law school’s International and Comparative Law Program.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Michael Lee is the son of Theresa and Lee Kortemeyer, and Roger Lee. He graduated from Lawrence High School and received his undergraduate degree from KU.

GEORGIA
From Atlanta 30083
Parag Mehta is the son of Mahesh and Meena Mehta. He graduated from Stone Mountain High School in Atlanta and earned an undergraduate degree at Illinois State University.

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