2009 National Environmental Moot Court Champions

Environmental Moot Court Champions Tarah Heinzen, Erica Maharg, and Elizabeth Zultoski, February 2009

For the sixth time in 16 years, Lewis & Clark's National Environmental Moot Court team swept to the national championship at Pace Law School. This year's team, which consisted of third-year students Tarah Heinzen and Erica Maharg, and second-year student Elizabeth Zultoski, triumphed over 67 other teams, including victories over the University of Houston and the University of Colorado in the quarterfinals, Harvard and Drexel in the semifinals, and Louisiana State and the University of Utah in the finals.

This year's problem was incredibly complex, involving a shipwreck off the US coast, an exploration company and the Kingdom of Spain both seeking title to the wreck, and the United States claiming permits were required for the salvage. The final round was judged by the Honorable William K. Sessions III, Chief Judge, US District Court for the District of Vermont, the Honorable Charles J. Sheehan, Judge, Environmental Appeals Board, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Gary Nurkin, Attorney, US EPA Region 2 (who drafted much of the problem). The final round was webcast; the video is available from Pace Law School's site. Our two advocates in the finals are Lizzy Zultoski and Erica Maharg. Their presentations begin at 31:20 and 46:40 on the podcast, respectively. artwork

This championship team joins five other Lewis & Clark teams in the past 16 years that have won the competition, a remarkable record considering that the team with the next-highest number of championships has won twice.

Here's a brief snapshot of Lewis & Clark's accomplishments in the national competition. Over the past 16 years, Lewis & Clark teams have:

* Advanced to the quarterfinals (top 27 teams) 15 times

* Advanced to the semifinals (top 9 teams) 13 times

* Advanced to the finals (top 3 teams) 10 times

* Won six national championships