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2019 Ames Moot Court Competition

November 12, 2019

Judges at the 2019 Ames Moot Court Finals
Credit: Martha Stewart

Case: United States Department of the Interior v. Caldwell

A writ of certiorari is granted on the following two questions:

  1. Whether the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq., and the final rule implementing the statute violate equal protection.
  2. Whether the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq., and the final rule implementing the statute violate the anti-commandeering component of the Tenth Amendment.

Judges

Hon. Merrick Garland ’77, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit
Hon. Michelle Friedland, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Hon. Amul Thapar, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Teams

The Janet Wood Reno Memorial Team

PETITIONERS

Best Brief

Kevin Chen
Mikaela Gilbert-Lurie, Oralist
Eliza Green
K.C. Jaski
Al Kelly, Oralist
Caroline Li

The Patricia Roberts Harris Memorial Team

RESPONDENTS

Best Overall

Alicia Alvero Koski
Charlotte Butash
Melanie Fontes, Oralist
Kelsey Fraser, Best Oralist
Hilary Hurd
Kate Peiffer

“…you stayed the course, and wove your answers right back into your argument. Beautiful. Masterful. Come to the 6th circuit.”

HON. MERRICK GARLAND ’77
U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit

Watch the video: 2019 Ames Moot Court Competition

Final Round

United States Department of Interior v. Caldwell