Michigan State University College of Law’s Moot Court Program earned a major national victory last weekend, winning the 2025 Chicago Bar Association (CBA) Moot Court Competition—one of the country’s most competitive and well-regarded appellate advocacy tournaments.
Team members Benedict Nsenga, Nygie Rhodes, and Daria Lindquist emerged at the top of a 30-team field to take 1st Place Overall, marking MSU’s first CBA championship in a decade. The team also earned the competition’s Second Place Brief Award this year.
“It was a full-circle moment when the judge announced us as winners,” said Benedict Nsenga, ’26. “It’s difficult to capture the feeling in words. But in that moment, I knew trusting the process had taken us all the way. I didn’t know Nygie or Daria all that well before this competition, but the camaraderie and chemistry we built throughout this competition are a testament to our character.”
The CBA competition is known for its rigorous judging panels and the strength of its competitors. MSU prevailed over teams from South Texas College of Law, St. Mary’s University School of Law, Southwestern Law School, the University of Florida Levin College of Law, St. Thomas University College of Law, and others.
“This victory is especially meaningful because the students committed themselves to an intensive preparation schedule. And it paid off,” said Jennifer Copland, associate clinical professor of law and director of MSU Law’s competitions program. “This is one of our program’s most inspiring comeback stories in the last ten years.”
Said Daria Lindquist, ’26: “It has been such an honor to be part of this winning team. We meshed well from the beginning. Law school can feel defeating at times, especially for those of us who are ultra-competitive. A good work ethic speaks for itself, and eventually it’ll be impossible to beat. I thank my co-counsel for constantly striving for greatness. Thank you to our wonderful coaches, Joe Greene and Amanda Igra, and professors and practitioners, Professor Copland, Professor Thronson, Professor Pucillo, and Shawn Brew, for guiding us to success.”
“No matter how tired we were, no matter how hectic a day we had, no matter our work schedule, and no matter how much we simply did not want to practice, we still gave every practice our all,” said Nygie Rhodes, ’26. “During these practices, our ‘judges’ pushed us around with tough questions to make us think more deeply about our arguments, sometimes even acting as mean judges to help us prepare for the worst. Well, when it came to the competition, Benedict and I were well prepared to handle tough panels. We felt like we could persuade the world that our arguments were right.
“Although it may not have been the world, it was enough to convince over fifteen judges that we were right and to win first place at this competition, on November 15, 2025,” he said.
The CBA championship caps a standout fall for MSU Law’s Moot Court Program, which continues to rank among the strongest in the nation.
“Our moot court program has been ranked Number One in the country three out of the last six years due to successes like this one,” said Professor Copland. “This ranking reflects consistently top-tier performance by multiple teams at competitions and is backed by the support system and mentoring our professors, alumni, volunteer attorneys, and Board of Advocates members provide to our students throughout the process.”
Fall 2025 results to date:
- Chicago Bar Association Competition (November, 30 teams)
- Champions: Nsenga, Rhodes, Lindquist (brief writer)
- Second Place Brief
- Wechsler First Amendment Competition – American University (November, 26 teams)
- Quarterfinalists & 5th Place Brief: Rory Spence & Anthony Spizziri
- Billings Constitutional Law Competition – Elon (October, 42 teams)
- Semifinalists & Best Brief Award: Nayeli Diaz, Skyla Snable, Leo Kresch (writer)
- Octafinalists: Rachel Woods & Daniel Bottke
- Zehmer Workers’ Compensation Competition – Orlando (August, 22 teams)
- Champions: Nayeli Diaz, Rachel Woods, Skyla Snable (writer)
- Best Brief & Semifinalists: Gabby Sheets & Mallory Kean
- Quarterfinalists: Hannah Mahn, Stephanie Trask, Lindquist (writer)
Additionally, MSU earned a semifinal finish with a Best Brief Award at a 40-plus-team competition earlier this fall and a quarterfinal finish in Washington, DC last weekend.
Only one competition remains this semester, the regional rounds of the New York City Bar’s National Moot Court Competition held this year in Houston, with results expected on Saturday, Nov. 22.
MSU Law’s Moot Court Program is consistently one of the top-ranked programs in the country. Last academic year, the program finished #1 in the national rankings, outperforming more than 200 law schools.
Under Professor Copland’s leadership, the program fosters a culture of preparation, community support, and academic rigor. More than 50 faculty, alumni, and practitioners volunteer as coaches and practice round judges each year—an investment of time that directly fuels results like this weekend’s national championship.
Professor Copland notes that the heart of the program lies in its students’ willingness to put in the work.
“It is always exciting and rewarding to see dedication pay off,” said Professor Copland. “Experiences like these build confidence and skills and leave lasting memories for students. This whole team worked long hours and was assisted by faculty and other teams in oral argument practices. I'm incredibly proud of all three of these students.”