KU News Release

KU moot court team to compete in international finals in May in Taipei

LAWRENCE — A team from the University of Kansas School of Law will head to Taipei in May to compete in the international finals of the European Law Students’ Association Moot Court Competition.

Four students guaranteed their spot in the finals by advancing to the final round of the North American regional on March 12 in Washington, D.C. Christina Elmore, Ben Sharp, Carrie Bader and Beau Jackson — all third-year law students — represent the first KU team to make it to the world level of the seven-year-old competition.

“This was a terrific student effort,” said Pam Keller, clinical associate professor and director of the law school’s moot court program. “The team wrote two lengthy briefs and practiced tirelessly for the oral rounds. Their hard work paid off, and the KU School of Law is proud of their success.”

Raj Bhala, the Raymond F. Rice Distinguished Professor of Law, coaches the team.

The ELSA Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing in the World Trade Organization dispute settlement system. Competitor teams represent both parties to the case by presenting oral submissions in front of a panel, which consists of World Trade Organization law experts. The 2008-09 case deals with a hypothetical dispute over trade and regulatory measures aimed at addressing climate change.

KU joined teams from Duke University, the University of Ottawa in Canada and George Washington University in the semifinals. After defeating Ottawa to advance to the final round, KU lost a close match to Duke. The top two teams will move on to the international finals to square off against the winners of regional contests around the globe.

“It was an honor to represent KU and to compete against teams from some of the best law schools in North America,” Jackson said. “Our success is a testament to the world-class education we've received at KU, particularly the guidance of Professors Raj Bhala and Pam Keller. We’re looking forward to the international finals in Taiwan.”

Participation in the ELSA Moot Court Competition has become an important component in the KU School of Law’s International and Comparative Law Program, along with the International Environmental Law Moot Court Competition and the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. KU teams in the Jessup competition have advanced to the international level six times and been crowned champion twice.

Students participating in the competition are listed below by hometown.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Prairie Village 66208
Carrie Bader is the daughter of Doralee K. Bader of Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California-Los Angeles.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned 67550
Christina Elmore is the daughter of George and Kay Elmore of Larned. She graduated from Larned High School and received her undergraduate degree from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67230
Beau Jackson is the son of Courtley and Kristen Jackson of Wichita. He graduated from Andover High School and received his undergraduate degree in political science from KU in spring 2003.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Rossville 66533
Ben Sharp is the son of Dave and Janice Sharp of Rossville. He graduated from Rossville High School and received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University in Manhattan.

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