Throughout the month of February, partner Erin Ezra and associates Mallory Yumol, Michael Procopio, and Nandita Nayyar volunteered as justices for the 2021 UCI Law Moot Court Competition.

During the competition, UCI law students argued a fictional U.S. Supreme Court case regarding the constitutional issue, “Does testing a key on an apartment door to ascertain a person’s residence constitute a Fourth Amendment search requiring probable cause and a warrant?”

Each student was allotted 20 minutes to present their oral arguments as counsel for either the petitioner or respondent to a three-justice panel. As justices, Erin, Mallory, Michael, and Nan scored the law students based on the strength of their briefs, oral arguments, and responses to on-the-spot questions. The attorneys also provided UCI students with feedback and insight regarding their performances.

Despite the conditions of the competition, which was typically held in-person in years past, competitors maintained the utmost professionalism during their online performances. Mallory and Michael were particularly impressed by their handle of the caselaw, and the articulation of their cases.

Berger Kahn is happy to volunteer with UCI Law’s student-run Moot Court program and provide aid to bright, aspiring lawyers.