KU Law School team takes first place in international moot court competition
LAWRENCE – A pair of University of Kansas School of Law students captured first place at the International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology & Privacy Law.
Not only did Nathan Lindsey and Christopher Omlid win first place in the oral arguments phase of the competition, but the judges also awarded them the prize for best petitioner brief. The competition took place Oct. 27-29 at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
Lindsey and Omlid went up against teams from 23 schools from around the world, briefing and arguing challenging and unresolved issues of technology law. They defeated teams from Australia, Cardozo (New York) and South Texas before besting Michigan State’s squad in the final round.
Lindsey credited the success to thorough preparation, aided by Mike Kautsch, professor of law and the team’s coach, and Pamela Keller, clinical associate professor of law and faculty adviser.
“Taking first place in the briefs and overall competition was a great reward for everyone’s hard work,” he said.
Omlid echoed Lindsey’s focus on the team’s preparation and said the judges at the competition pushed both students to give the best possible answers.
“We wanted to make sure that if we lost it would not be due to incomplete research,” he said. “It was amazing to win, especially given the high level of competition.”
Established in 1981, the John Marshall Law School International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology & Privacy Law is one of the largest and most respected of all international moot courts. Lindsey and Omlid’s winning brief will be published in the Journal of Computer & Information Law.
The University of Kansas has an extensive moot court program, and the team’s win adds to a long tradition of excellence. Both students belong to the Moot Court Council, which represents KU in various national and international moot court competitions.
Practice makes perfect, especially when preparing to argue a complex issue, and Kautsch said the team’s award was well-deserved.
“Nate and Chris were remarkably thorough in researching and writing about issues related to privacy, contract, tort and technology law,” he said. “They truly were exemplary in the way they prepared and practiced their oral arguments.”
Nathan Lindsey, a third-year law student, is the son of Carrie Lindsey and Mark Munzinger. He graduated from Lawrence High School before receiving his undergraduate degree at Grinnell College.
Christopher Omlid, a third-year law student, is the son of Jon and Loretta Omlid. He graduated from Red River High School, Grand Forks, N.D., before receiving his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota.