Several students from Elon Law’s Moot Court Board had the opportunity to observe oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The students observed oral arguments in three cases, one civil and two criminal. The civil case before the court was Kimberly McKinnish v. Patrick Donahoe, which involved the question of whether the district court properly applied a United States Supreme Court decision, Vance v. Ball State University, to dispose of the plaintiff’s sexual harassment claim. The second case, United States v. Lance Williams, and third case, United States v. Albert Hardy, Jr., involved issues related to sentence reductions under the federal sentencing guidelines. After the oral arguments, the judges took questions from the gallery and shared their advice on structuring oral arguments and addressing judges’ questions.
“We have read cases from the Fourth Circuit and have been told by our professors and coaches what the atmosphere at the Court is like, but to actually watch three oral arguments was an incredible learning experience,” explained Marissa Kuzbyt, a third-year student on the trip. “It was truly eye opening to watch these attorneys do exactly what we do on the Moot Court Board when we compete nationally.”
Mr. Taylor, the attorney for the defendant in McKinnish v. Donahoe, met with the Elon Law students after his oral argument and explained the process he undertook preparing for the argument. He shared his outline of the oral argument and explained how he structured his argument to address the key issues in the case. Taylor also shared with the students the extensive amount of preparation that went into his oral argument, including several “moot” arguments before his colleagues in the United States Attorney’s office.
“By observing the argument first and then hearing from Mr. Taylor, the students got a behind the scenes look at how an accomplished appellate advocate structures his case and prepares for oral argument,” said Alan Woodlief, Sr. Associate Dean and Director of the Moot Court Program at Elon, who accompanied the students on the trip. “The information Mr. Taylor shared with the students reinforces the lessons they are learning through their moot court experience and will aid them in preparing for their upcoming competitions.”
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is one of twelve regional appellate courts within the federal judicial system. The court hears appeals from the nine federal district courts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and from federal administrative agencies. The panel of judges Wednesday consisted of the Honorable William B. Traxler, Jr., the Chief Judge for the Fourth Circuit, as well the Honorable Robert B. King and the Honorable Stephanie D. Thacker.
The students and the Moot Court Board express their sincere appreciation to attorney Joseph A. Mecca of New Jersey, who sponsored the trip. Through experiences such as this trip to the Fourth Circuit, competing in tournaments across the country, and hosting its own Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, the Elon Law Moot Court Board provides students the opportunity to hone their skills in reasoning, writing and public speaking, and to develop their capacity as leaders.