Rutgers Law’s Jessup Moot Court Team Outperforms Elite Schools at Regional Competition
Rutgers Law School's Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team in Newark competed at the Eastern Regional Competition in Charlotte, North Carolina from February 26 to March 2. The team faced some of the most competitive teams east of the Mississippi, including NYU School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Florida International University College of Law. Of the 48 law schools that participated, the team distinguished itself by outranking competitors such as Duke University School of Law, Boston University School of Law, and Seton Hall Law School.
The Jessup Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice. This year's dispute was between the fictional countries of Ambrosia, the Applicant, and Rovinia, the Respondent.
Team members Katherine Gramm-Zlotnick '26 and Marthalyn Johnson '26 represented the Applicant while Nadia Al Khunaizi '25 and Gabriela Abreu '26 represented the Respondent. With extensive support from fifth team member and alternate Isabelle Kapoian ‘26, the Jessup Team prepared and submitted written Memorials to the mock International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing for both Applicant and Respondent, and engaged in an extensive number of mooting exercises. While in Charlotte, team members presented oral arguments based on their Memorials. The team argued in four rounds as Applicant and Respondent against competing teams before panels of judges asked team members probing questions, simulating a proceeding before the International Court of Justice.
This year, Ambrosia's and Rovinia's claims focused on four main legal issues:
● ICJ Jurisdiction - the interpretation of a compromissory clause in a treaty creating a regional organization and exploring whether it permitted or prohibited jurisdiction
● Immunity of State Officials - the invocation of immunity for government officials accused of grave violations of human rights related to enforced disappearance
● The Law of the Sea - the legal consequences of receding coastlines for the maritime zones of coastal state
● Multiple Leaders of a State - the rights and obligations of other members of the international community when two persons claim to be the legitimate president of a state
The Jessup International Moot Court Competition is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from approximately 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions. The competition has been held every year since 1960. Teams compete in regional matchups, with the top teams from each competition moving on to the International Competition, held this year in Washington D.C. at the end of March.
The team is coached by Professor Jorge Contesse and Adjunct Professor William Schroeder, with Professor Jootaek Lee providing strategic and legal research advice.
The team gives its immense thanks to the numerous Rutgers professors and Jessup alumni who mooted the team leading up to the competition. Members would also like to recognize the Alumni Association for their generosity in assisting with registration costs. A special thank you to Jessup alumni M'Ballou Sanogho '20, who joined the team in North Carolina and coached them through their first day of the competition.
Applications for the 2026 Jessup Team are open through May 1. Click here for more information.