Law students compete: Kirkland & Ellis Mini Moot Court thrills!

Law students compete: Kirkland & Ellis Mini Moot Court thrills!

On September 16, 2025, the sixth edition of the Kirkland & Ellis Mini Moot Court took place at Bucerius Law School. This event is part of the preparatory course for the class of 2025 and offers law students the opportunity to practice being legal representatives in simulated negotiations. Teams of six were formed to represent both the plaintiff and the defendant.

The event was supported by current and former members of the Moot Court Honor Society, who provided important experiences and tips. The judging was carried out by “Mooties”, academic staff, alumni and lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis.

Results and awards

The teams competed against each other in an exciting final round, which took place in the Moot Court hall. Team 11, consisting of Paulus Benz, Nahed Ghanayim, Julian Knötzele, Lisa Niesalla, Caroline Scherer and Iason Vollenbröker, achieved first place. Second place went to Team 19 with Jonathan Class, Paula Holste, Constantin Kruse, Anna Rath, Timon Selen and Julius Wimmers.

Particularly highlighted was Lotte Menken, who received the title “Best Speaker” due to her outstanding performances in the preliminary round. Team 6, consisting of Lisa Zhang, Leo Leiß, Keanu Kablitz, Charlotte Brandt, Benedict Rohde and Jakob Tintelnot, received the “Spirit of the Moot Award” for their strong teamwork.

Networking and exchange

An evening get-together in the rotunda offered everyone involved the opportunity to exchange ideas and ask questions about the legal profession as well as moot courts. This combination of competition and social exchange sees the event as an effective yet entertaining introduction to mooting.

The Moot Court Honor Society, which promotes excellence in oral argument and pleadings, plays a central role in students' education. The Society offers numerous opportunities to participate in competitions, both intra- and interscholastic, giving members the opportunity to develop valuable practical skills. The topics of the competitions include, among others, administrative law and environmental law.

Moot Court Honor Society members receive not only academic credit but also support from faculty coaches who provide feedback and preparation for the competitions. Students who wish to participate in these challenges can register for the New Member Try Out Competition at the beginning of the fall semester, which may be a requirement for admission to the Society.

The event and the participation of Kirkland & Ellis were highlighted as particularly valuable as it not only imparts technical knowledge to the students, but also promotes networking and exchange between the aspiring lawyers.

For further information about the event and those active at Bucerius Law School, see the report from law-school.de worth reading. Those interested can also find out more about the Moot Court Honor Society at Widener University, which specializes in promoting argumentation skills. Widener University offers a variety of options and support for law students.