LU takes home win at moot court tournament
November 14, 2022 | by Shelbe Rodriguez
Three Lamar University teams participated in the Texas A&M University School of Law Regional Moot Court Tournament on Nov. 4-5. For the first time in three years, students competed in person at the Texas A&M University School of Law campus in Fort Worth. Moot court competitions involve two student advocates arguing constitutional issues before a mock Supreme Court. Students work together in their team to construct their legal arguments and present these arguments to judges throughout the competition. Based on preliminary round showings, teams advance to elimination rounds. Students are evaluated on their knowledge of the facts of the case, the case law, presentation skills and courtroom demeanor. Based on their individual scores, student advocates also receive individual speaker awards. 
Based on preliminary round scoring, individual awards were given to the top ten student advocates. Kiera Figgins was ranked No. 10 best overall speaker of the tournament. Kiera received a trophy for her showing. A total of 52 undergraduate students competed in the tournament!
After preliminary rounds, the top 16 seeded teams advanced to elimination rounds. A total of 26 teams competed from 11 universities. The team of Kaylee Goodspeed and Kiera Figgins (2-1 record) was the No. 11 ranked team of the tournament and advanced to elimination rounds. In the final round of the tournament, Kaylee and Kiera defeated the No. 6 ranked team from Texas Christian University and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. In a close round, Kaylee and Kiera were defeated in the quarterfinal round. Kaylee and Kiera received trophies and were named Quarterfinalists of the tournament. Official bids for the national tournament will be announced in December. Quarterfinalists have received bids to the national tournament in the past.
Lamar University participants:
Gillean Vandiver, senior, political science major, legal studies minor
Maissa Salibi, senior, political science major, legal studies minor
Kiera Figgins, senior, psychology major, legal studies minor
Kaylee Goodspeed, senior, psychology major, legal studies minor
Dusti Boudreaux, junior, political science major, legal studies minor
Shelbie Williams, junior, political science major, legal studies minor
Based on preliminary round scoring, individual awards were given to the top ten student advocates. Kiera Figgins was ranked No. 10 best overall speaker of the tournament. Kiera received a trophy for her showing. A total of 52 undergraduate students competed in the tournament!
After preliminary rounds, the top 16 seeded teams advanced to elimination rounds. A total of 26 teams competed from 11 universities. The team of Kaylee Goodspeed and Kiera Figgins (2-1 record) was the No. 11 ranked team of the tournament and advanced to elimination rounds. In the final round of the tournament, Kaylee and Kiera defeated the No. 6 ranked team from Texas Christian University and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. In a close round, Kaylee and Kiera were defeated in the quarterfinal round. Kaylee and Kiera received trophies and were named Quarterfinalists of the tournament. Official bids for the national tournament will be announced in December. Quarterfinalists have received bids to the national tournament in the past.
Lamar University participants:
Gillean Vandiver, senior, political science major, legal studies minor
Maissa Salibi, senior, political science major, legal studies minor
Kiera Figgins, senior, psychology major, legal studies minor
Kaylee Goodspeed, senior, psychology major, legal studies minor
Dusti Boudreaux, junior, political science major, legal studies minor
Shelbie Williams, junior, political science major, legal studies minor