Norton Wins 2022 Altheimer Moot Court Competition

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Altheimer Moot Court Competition 2022

Third-year law student Gray Norton won the championship round of the 2022 Altheimer Moot Court Competition held Feb. 24 via Zoom. She was also named best oralist and recognized for best brief.

Norton competed against second-year students Drew Carnahan and Carson Henderson in the final round.

The students presented their cases before the Hon. Lavenski Smith J.D.'87, chief judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; the Hon. Christy D. Comstock J.D.'92, of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas; and the Hon. Shawn Womack J.D.'96, justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

This year's problem required students to explore whether an individual's Fourth Amendment and Sixth Amendment rights were violated when the individual consented to a search without knowing the nature of the search. At the trial, a witness currently incarcerated in another state was permitted by the court to testify via Zoom.

"This year's Ben J. Altheimer Competitors impressed us with not only their oral advocacy skills, but with their professionalism, grace and resilience," said Rowe and Cross, co-chairs of the 2022 Ben J. Altheimer Moot Court Competition. "We thank them for their ability to pivot between Zoom and in-person formats and remain flexible in the face of COVID-19 and weather concerns. We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to each of our judges, the Arkansas Board of Advocates and the University of Arkansas faculty members, without whom this competition would not be possible. It has been our honor to chair this event."

The annual competition, named after Arkansas attorney and philanthropist Ben J. Altheimer, is hosted by the U of A School of Law Board of Advocates. The student-run board organizes three internal competitions annually — the William H. Sutton Barrister's Union Trial Competition, the Altheimer Competition and either a negotiations or client counseling competition — which lead to the selection of moot court, trial and client advocacy competition teams that travel to regional and national competitions.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become president of the United States and secretary of state, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follows us at @uarklaw.