Lily Amberg and Michelle Van Der Karr, both third-year students, were semi-finalists in the North American Regional Round of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition. Van Der Karr was also runner-up for Best Oralist.
The team was co-coached by Professor Mark Wojcik and alum William Weltman (’09). Wojcik, who is teaching international law this semester, has coached other international law moot court teams including the Jessup, Niagara and Stetson Competitions. He even coached the Law School’s team in the first Stetson International Environmental Competition 25 years ago. Co-coach Weltman competed as a student on the VIS international arbitration team and is now a partner at ReedSmith, focusing on international litigation and arbitration.
This was Amberg’s second time participating on a moot court team. She was a member of the Williams Institute Moot Court team during the Spring 2020 semester. For those interested in joining moot court Amberg says, “Everyone should try out! I’ve had a great time. Yes, it’s more work on top of your classes, but nothing you can’t handle as long as you stay organized.”
Van Der Karr is also an experienced competitor. In the Fall of 2019, she was a member of the Chicago Bar Association competition team and in the Spring of 2020, she was on the American Bar Association competition team. Van Der Karr also encourages students interested in moot court to give it a try. “My advice to students contemplating moot court is to just do it. It’s fun, it’s educational, and you can get credit,” said Van Der Karr.
Students can learn more about getting involved with moot court here: https://jmls.uic.edu/academics/jd/honors/moot-court/
