Moot Court teams argue before the Florida Supreme Court


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For the first time in its 13 year history, the final round of FIU Law’s Intramural Moot Court Competition was argued before the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee, Florida.

The two, two-person teams had the rare privilege to stand before the justices of Florida’s Supreme Court. Representing the petitioner were Alexis Hishmeh and Amber Plugge, and for the respondent were Kristen Catasus and Lynne Wilkerson. The teams reached the final round after advancing through four rounds of intramural competitions held at FIU Law.

The team of Catasus and Wilkerson were the unanimous winners, but the final round was more about the once-in-a-lifetime experience than the victory.

“I’m pretty sure I blacked out when the judges first entered the courtroom!” Catasus says. “It was surreal to have all seven justices look to me for answers to their questions and I felt confident that I could answer them.”

The case presented Fourth Amendment and Fifth Amendment issues surrounding the United States’ use of advanced technology.

“Few attorneys have the opportunity to argue before the Florida Supreme Court,” FIU Law Dean R. Alexander Acosta says. “To get that opportunity as a second-year law student is both a great challenge and a reward for their hard work and dedication.”

Back row from left to right: Justice Ricky Polston, Justice Peggy A. Quince, Justice Barbara J. Pariente, Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, Justice R. Fred Lewis ,Justice Charles T. Canady and Justice James E.C. Perry. Front row from left to right: Alexis Hishmeh, Amber Plugge, Kristen Catasus and Lynne Wilkerson.

To help prepare, Wilkerson never stopped talking about her argument.

“You don’t need to keep reciting your script, but talking about your ideas to other law students or professors – even people who have no legal training can still understand and help you improve your argument.”

Even though only a small group made the journey up to Tallahassee, students, faculty and law school supporters watched the arguments live on the law school’s website, and the teams could feel the support 500 miles away.

“Although it was intimidating, everyone was on our side and it felt great to see the support stretch from the security guards at the front of the courthouse all the way to students and professors back home in Miami watching us,” Catasus says.

For the ‘Tallahassee Four’ the experience won’t soon be forgotten.

The justices also named Plugge Best Orator.