On March 20-21, Catholic Law in Washington, D.C., proudly hosted the nation’s longest-running First Amendment Moot Court event: the 76th Annual Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. Co-sponsored by the Law School's Center for Religious Liberty, this prestigious event is a cornerstone of Catholic Law’s First Amendment Initiatives, drawing competitors, coaches, judges, and legal professionals from across the nation.

This year’s competition featured 36 teams from 35 law schools, showcasing some of the brightest legal minds in the country. The problem for the 2026 competition was crafted by Professor A.G. Harmon, Associate Dean of Bench and Bar Programs, with Professor Susanna F. Fischer, Director of the Comparative and International Law Institute, helping oversee and edit the work of the student opinion writers. Students Andrea Quinan, Zach Novak, Alex Kagan, and Edward Reddington contributed by drafting a District Court opinion, a Court of Appeals opinion, and a Bench Brief summarizing the case and potential argument trajectories for the judges.

The event began on Friday with two preliminary rounds, followed by a reception in the Louise H. Keelty and James K. Keelty, Jr. Atrium. The space was adorned with banners honoring champions from the past 75 competitions, creating an atmosphere of tradition and excellence. During the reception, Sarah Webster (3L), Vice-Chancellor of the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Competition, announced the teams advancing to the next stage.

Saturday’s events included the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the highly anticipated final round. Twelve exceptional teams advanced to Day Two, competing for the coveted title. The progression of teams was as follows:

Quarterfinalists:

• South Texas College of Law
• New York University School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law
• Boston University School of Law
• Florida State University College of Law
• Boston College School of Law
• Loyola University Chicago School of Law
• University of Wisconsin Law School
• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
• The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
• Capital University Law School
• American University Washington College of Law

Semifinalists:

• The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
• Capital University Law School
• New York University School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law

Finalists:

• Capital University Law School
• New York University School of Law

Sarah Webster, who oversaw the large-scale competition, reflected on the event’s success, saying, “The success of this competition is only possible because of the efforts of so many people. I am especially grateful to the nearly 100 volunteers who generously gave their time to serve as brief judges and oral advocacy judges. I am also extremely grateful for the help of Renee Stack, Kelly Crines, Audrey Ganley, and the Moot Court Association for their help throughout the planning of the competition and helping it run smoothly during the weekend.”

The Law School extended its heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished individuals who volunteered as brief and oral argument judges, lending their expertise to the event. The final round was judged by an esteemed panel, including:

• The Honorable Edward Meyers, United States Court of Federal Claims
•  The Honorable Carlos Muniz, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
• The Honorable Joseph Leeson, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• Gene Policinski, Senior Fellow of the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum and founding editor of USA Today
• The Honorable Mark Martin, Former Supreme Court Judge of North Carolina and Dean of The Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law at High Point University

Their contributions ensured an unforgettable experience, highlighting the dedication and excellence of Catholic Law. The 76th Annual Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup once again demonstrated the Law School’s commitment to fostering legal scholarship and advocacy in the realm of First Amendment law.

 

76th Annual Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup Winners