Record 36 Law Schools Compete in AUWCL’s National First Amendment Moot Court Competition

Can a state prohibit universities from discussing one side of the climate change debate? That provocative First Amendment question brought students from a record 36 law schools across the country to American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) for the 32nd annual Burton D. Wechsler National First Amendment Moot Court Competition, November 6–8.

AUWCL’s student-led Moot Court Honor Society (MCHS) organized and hosted the three-day competition, challenging aspiring attorneys to navigate complex constitutional questions, sharpen their appellate advocacy skills, and present arguments before distinguished judges, legal scholars, and practitioners.

This year’s hypothetical case centered on a state law that mirrored Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act.” The fictional statute prohibited discussion of one side of the climate change debate at universities in the State of Pence, raising significant questions about government regulation of speech, academic freedom, and the First Amendment.

Suffolk University Law School emerged as the competition champion, with students Sam Pal, Cameron Riley and Ben Steinlauf prevailing over Michigan State University’s Nikki Buikema and Olivia Seeber in the final round.

Three distinguished federal judges presided over the championship round: Judge Timothy Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Judge Loren AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and Judge Anthony Trenga of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Teams from Seton Hall University and Indiana University advanced to the semifinals.

Student Leadership Drives National Competition

Beyond the courtroom arguments, the competition showcased the organizational and leadership skills of AUWCL students who brought the national event to life.

Competition co-directors Kinsey Newhams and Nisa Manzar led the planning and execution, with support from the entire Moot Court Honor Society, including President Alex Diaz, Vice President Anika Krishnan, and Executive Tournament Director Katherine Angell.

“The Wechsler Moot Court Competition not only promotes oral advocacy on one of our most fundamental constitutional rights, but it also marks the moment when the WCL MCHS team comes together and solidifies our bond for the rest of the year,” Newhams said. “Wechsler provides the MCHS team an amazing opportunity to work together, both as a team and alongside an amazing group of professors, alumni, and practitioners we might not otherwise encounter.”

“We are honored to uphold Professor Wechsler’s legacy each year,” Manzar said. “We are grateful for all of the participants who continue to make the competition such a success.”

Numerous AUWCL alumni returned to serve as judges, joining faculty members who volunteered their expertise throughout the weekend.

Now in its 32nd year, the competition honors the legacy of Professor Burton D. Wechsler, who taught at Washington College of Law from 1978 to 1998. Students recognized the beloved educator as Professor of the Year an extraordinary 13 times during his tenure.

The annual competition continues that legacy, giving future lawyers opportunities to explore consequential constitutional questions, develop persuasive advocacy skills, and engage directly with members of the judiciary.

AUWCL students, faculty, alumni, and staff worked together to make the event a success, with essential support from Facilities, Conference and Event Services, Catering, and Audio Visual.

With record participation and a challenging constitutional issue at its center, the 2026 competition reinforced AUWCL’s longstanding commitment to experiential legal education, student leadership, and the vigorous examination of First Amendment freedoms.

See the full photo gallery here.