by J. Brooks Terry
Staff writer
Not all college showdowns take place on a football field. Friday at the U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville, law students from the universities of Florida and Georgia competed in the 24th Annual Hulsey Kimbrell Moot Court Competition.
Prior to this year’s competition, Georgia had won the competition for three straight years. This year, Florida took home the trophy.
“It’s taken three years so I’m sure they were ready for a win,” said project coordinator Matt McLaughlin, an associate at Smith, Hulsey & Busey.
The event was founded by Charles Kimbrell and attorney Mark Hulsey of Smith Hulsey & Busey.
“The competition is always intense, but it’s an excellent way for law students to get first-hand experience in the courtroom and to present their arguments to real judges,” said McLaughlin.
Five federal judges, including two from Georgia and three from Jacksonville, presided Friday.
“The line of questioning and the intensity in there is very representative of what really happens and afterward the students are able to get some valuable feedback,” said McLaughlin. “We also encourage alumni from both school to come and watch.”
McLaughlin added the date of the competition routinely falls just before the Georgia-Florida football game.
“That’s part of the tradition,” he said. “And it always takes place in the federal courthouse.”
For the first time in three years, the University of Florida defeated the University of Georgia in the Hulsey Kimbrell Moot Court Competition.