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W&L Law Team Wins Energy and Sustainable Development Moot Court Competition

Washington and Lee School of Law students Max Gottlieb ‘17L, Jenna Lorence ‘17L and Bo Mahr ‘17L won the sixth annual National Energy and Sustainable Development Moot Court Competition this weekend, hosted by West Virginia University College of Law.

During the competition, students tackled a legal problem that involved an environmental group’s appeal of a federally approved interstate natural gas pipeline. Allegations included violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.

The final round of the competition was judged by Judge Stephanie D. Thacker, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; Judge Irene M. Keeley, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; Senior Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; Senior Judge David A. Faber, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia; and Judge Frank W. Volk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of West Virginia

The W&L students faced off against teams from 23 law schools, including Appalachian School of Law, Catholic University, University of Colorado, Duquesne University, George Washington University, Louisiana State University, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, University of North Dakota, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Utah, Washington and Lee University, College of William and Mary, and University of Wyoming.

The National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, the first of its kind in the nation, was established in 2011 by WVU’s Center for Energy and Sustainable Development. It is run by the Moot Court Board at WVU.