The University of Georgia prevailed at the Florida-Georgia Hulsey-Gambrell Moot Court Competition on Oct. 29 at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville – the day before the Bulldogs also defeated the Gators on the gridiron at TIAA Bank Field.
Third-year law students Olivia Landrum and Roya Naghepour, joined by law school Dean Bo Rutledge, took the Hulsey-Gambrell Trophy home to Athens, Georgia, when the court adjourned.
University of Florida third-year law students Jillian Carver and Kyle Forges, joined by law school Dean Laura Rosenbury, competed from UF.
The students argued a case before a panel of federal judges.
With Chief U.S. District Judge of the Middle District of Florida Timothy Corrigan presiding, the panel this year included Senior Judge Susan Black of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, U.S. District Judge Brian Davis representing the Middle District of Florida, and U.S. District Judges Lisa Godbey Wood and Stan Baker representing the Southern District of Georgia.
The teams argued Moriarty v. Culverton, a criminal case with a guilty verdict challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 13th Circuit.
“It is always a delight to be part of this. We are glad we were able to do it in person,” Corrigan said, referring to last year’s competition on Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You all did a fine job. All of us were impressed with the level of advocacy,” he said.
The University of Georgia leads the series 25-11, with two ties.
Law firms Smith Hulsey & Busey in Jacksonville and Atlanta-based Smith Gambrell & Russell sponsor the annual event the day before the football game.
They hold it in honor of the late Mark Hulsey, a partner with Smith Hulsey & Busey, and the late E. Smythe Gambrell, a founding partner of Smith Gambrell.
