Baylor Law Hosting Prestigious Regional Moot Court Tournament

Contact: Julie Carlson, Baylor Law School, (254) 710-6681
Moot court teams representing law schools from Texas and Oklahoma gathered at Baylor Law School this week to participate in the regional tournament of the National Moot Court Tournament, sponsored by the New York City Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers. The regional tournament began Nov. 20, with the championship round on Nov. 21.

Teams participating in the Region 10 tournament include Baylor, the University of Oklahoma, St. Mary's University, South Texas College of Law, Southern Methodist University, Texas Tech University, Texas Wesleyan University and the University of Houston. The winner and runner-up will advance to the national finals, which will take place in early February 2009 in New York City.

The participants argued hypothetical cases before a panel of legal professionals who serve as judges. The first speaker's issue deals with the constitutionality of RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) in regards to the denial of a zoning permit for an expansion project for a religious institution. The second speaker's issue deals with the scope of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) regarding private school tuition reimbursement for special needs children.

Ed Cloutman, Brian Garrett and John Hardage are competing for Baylor, with adjunct professor Kathy Serr serving as team coach.