The Saul Lefkowitz team consisted of: Libby Zinke (3L captain); Ryan Smolinsky (3L); John McDonagh (3L); and Melissa Hanna (2L), Archie Hoggan (3L captain); Melissa Coombes (3L): Brian Ream (3L); and Abigail Holman (2L). Coach: J. Christopher Lynch.
Students Competed Against Four Universities
A team of eight Gonzaga Law students participated in the 22nd annual Saul Lefkowitz National Trademark Moot Court Competition the weekend of February 8th and 9th at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The eight students were exceedingly well prepared, poised, and professional, but not the winners. University of Washington was second and will move on to the finals at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. In a competition first, one school won best brief, best oral, and best overall – University of Hawaii, who will also move on to the finals. The subject matter of this year’s competition problem was surfing, so perhaps Hawaii had an advantage. Gonzaga teams argued against Santa Clara, Pacific, Washington, and Trinity.
Gonzaga Students Argued Well
“Gonzaga students were fantastic in their presentations, each arguing at a level well beyond what their instructor could have achieved,” commented J. Christopher Lynch, the coach of the team. “The setting of the Ninth Circuit Courthouse makes for an exciting competition — each of the courtrooms are magnificent and our students argued in many of them, including the UN-like en banc courtroom.”
17th Year in Competition
This is Gonzaga’s 17th consecutive year in Saul, which is sponsored by the International Trademark Association. INTA publishes the problem in the fall, and the teams write an appellate brief due in January. Gonzaga holds seven live practice rounds in the courtroom with professors and local IP practitioners as guest judges. The KL Gates San Francisco office hosts our Gonzaga teams for a final practice round on the eve of the competition. Our western regional competition featured 24 schools and continues to expand; we were informed that a fifth region in Dallas will be announced next year, joining the regional competitions in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco.
If you are interested in Saul for 2013-2014 or 2014-2015, please join GIPLA to get on the mailing list, and then attend the GIPLA meeting this spring where Saul will be discussed. Applications are generally taken in late March and next year’s teams selected by the end of this school year.
