On December 2, the Townsend Harris Moot Court team competed against the American Studies High School at Thurgood Marshall Courthouse and won the MENTOR Moot Court championship. This is the THHS’s team’s first citywide win in this competition in over twenty years.

Team members said their win came with shock and excitement. Marchella Ramos, a sophomore orator, said, “I never expected to win, to be honest. I remember [our team captain] said that everyone was super locked in this year, and I’m actually really thankful for that.”

“Finals were a really exciting experience,” junior Uma Tevlin, Moot Court co-captain, said. “It was the whole team’s first time going to finals and we really didn’t know what to expect.”

“They were very well prepared,” said social studies teacher Siobhan Brand, who advises the team. “All four orators were well versed in the case law, and they did an excellent job presenting themselves as attorneys, for the competition. I think the overall preparation and readiness of the students [led to their victory]. We’re just so proud of them.”

In addition to working with Ms. Brand, the team prepared by training with the Katten Muchin Rosenman law firm in Manhattan every Tuesday and Thursday. They prepared with lawyers at the law firm, who taught them ways for developing arguments, understanding cases, and public speaking skills.

Uma said team members also hold their own practice sessions. “A big part of moot court is the questioning that takes place during the argument, so we spend a lot of time working on answers to any questions we might get,” she said.

These practices sessions are “an instrumental part in our success,” said Junior Uma Hardeo, one of the other orators of Moot Court. “[We practiced] way into the late night and early mornings, during lunch bands, and even after school multiple days a week. It was very fun though as our team is like a family.” 

According to the MENTOR website, “Approximately 50 high school teams of eight students each compete in single-elimination rounds in November through December. The MENTOR Moot Court competition is part of the MENTOR Law Program, a national program created by lawyers, which partners law firms with public high schools.” Moot Court competitions recreate what it’s like to be in an appellate court by allowing the students argue a hypothetical legal case.

“To be able to get the opportunity to do this at Thurgood Marshall courthouse is unbelievable,” Uma Hardeo said. “When we won, I was so shocked but also so proud of all the hard work the entire team put into getting us where we are now, especially given the fact we haven’t won in more than 20 years.”