University of Idaho Law Students Shine at McNichols and ABA Negotiation Competitions
Thursday, November 9 2006
Nov. 9, 2006 MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho College of Law’s 18th Annual Raymond C. McNichols Moot Court Competition recently drew a stellar panel of competitors and judges to the College of Law Courtroom. The McNichols Competition is considered the preeminent internal competition for UI second year law students. University of Idaho law student Jason Flaig, of Milwaukee, Wis., was declared the winner. Kristina Wilson, UI law student from Rathdrum, earned runner-up honors. The final competition, held last Saturday in Moscow, was judged by the Hon. Richard Tallman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Hon. Roger Burdick, Idaho Supreme Court justice; Hon. Cheri Copsey, Fourth Judicial District of Idaho district judge; Hon. John Stegner, Second Judicial District of Idaho district judge; and Michael E. McNichols, attorney at law in Lewiston. Semifinalists include Ross Brown, of Walla Walla, Wash., and Erin Wallace, of Pullman, Wash. The best brief award went to Lindsey Simon, of Boise. Last week was a productive one for third year law students as well. At the University of Missouri at Columbia, the University of Idaho student team earned distinction in the American Bar Association Negotiation Competition. The team of David Fogg, of Idaho Falls, and Mark Cornelison, of Blackfoot, won second place out of 20 teams competing from the northwest U.S. and Canada. The Idaho negotiation team was assisted in their preparations by several professional volunteers and UI law faculty, including Professors Maureen Laflin, Lee Dillion and Pat Costello. “The value of these competitions, both to the winners and all the competitors, is that they provide a great opportunity to learn and practice professional skills, such as oral and written appellate advocacy and negotiation, which will be important in their work as lawyers,” said Costello. “They also provide the students feedback and insight from prominent judges and lawyers who will be their mentors and colleagues in the years to come.” Contact: Joni Kirk, University of Idaho Communications, (208) 885-7725; joni@uidaho.edu -30- About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. The only institution in the state earning the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity, University of Idaho researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year. UI’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 42 National Merit Scholars and a 2006-07 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, UI combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. DE -11/9/06-LAW
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.