So I know I said I'm going to post once a week.. YEA YEA YEA... I've come to realize that right now that may be unrealistic given my obligations to being a full-time Wife, Mother, AND Law Student. Bear with me.

With that being said, I honestly have 2 assignments I should be working on right now instead of blogging, but I'm attempting to some what stay true and committed. So here's to talking about moot court.

Some of you may or may not know what Moot Court is.. I really didn't until law school. But its basically a group of individuals from law schools who enjoy appellate advocacy learning how to properly present cases to a bench of court of appeals judge based on any given issue. This is the fun part to me, considering that before moot court you have to write a "Brief" which is not so brief because its comprised of over 15-25 pages (sometimes longer) of case precedent trying to persuade the judge, why they should rule in your favor before they even see you in court.

We are a small school, my class is comprised of 82 students, and we all knew only 32 would advance to the next round, and then 16 would advance to the semi-final and only 4 would go to finals. I HAD NOOOO PLANS ON ADVANCING, but I was told the further along you go the higher your oral argument grade is for the class. So I joked with my friends that I was "Finna Murder Moot Court" because I wanted all the points lol.

Ok so basically some people have a terrifying fear of public speaking, me not so much. However, when I first heard of this assignment, although I was not nervous, I was annoyed that the judges were going to cut me off before I finished my "points" with thousands of questions... and I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON LOL. 

I practiced a lot with my mentor and a few people who actually compete on the moot court team (These are the cream of the crop.. NATIONALLY they win or place in every competition they compete in) so that I could get some practice with handling those questions, and they all laughed to see me go from cutting them off the first time I practiced, telling them (who were acting as my judges) "as I said before" hahahah they were like noooo Judge will be soooo upset if you say that to them! Oops. To where I was that following week when competition rolled around. 

Ps. Remember I said there are no breaks in Law School, Spring "Break" WAS spent practicing for moot court which began that Monday we got back.  

Any-who the first round, went ok, I had three judges who hammered me out the gate, they didn't even let me finish my intro before they began to throw questions at me, BUT I LOVED IT. hahah It kept me thinking on my feet and as my family always says "I have an answer for everything" I was truly in my element, One of the judges later told me they did that because they saw that I COULD handle it, Go Figure! 

On my way home I just began to praise God, although I had no Idea where I matched up number wise after just the first round, I had confirmation from God that this was my calling, moot court just felt so right, talking to the judges, and advocating for my client was what God created me to do. So I was happy. 

I spent the next day preparing for round two.. Shortly before N and I had lunch together and he let me practice with him being my judge.. (Hilarious to get a Doctor to try and ask legal questions) bahahaha 

 Second Round.. Went the same as the first! The judges HAMMERED ME! But I felt good about it. I had noooooo real plans to advance I just joked around with my friends. Low and behold, we all met in the supreme court room later Thursday night when everyone was done with their second round, to hear the names of the 32 who would advance, because this meant you had to argue again on Friday in front of 3-5 judges. So me and my crew were sitting there, and Prof T says I'm going to call the names in order based on where you rank... 1. Whit R. 2. T. Wallace..... I was so shocked that my name was called so soon it was almost like i didn't hear it, He said ummmm are you present. I was sitting right in his face lol I said ohhhhh yea! He said well what argument do you want to chose, I WENT WITH WHAT WS ON BRIEF" Defendant actual knowledge" this was THE HARDEST argument to make in the competition, but I wanted to challenge myself!

 SHOCKED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT REALLY. I wanted to advance but I had no Idea I'd come in second place out of the top 32, that just felt awesome!

The next day was the same thing, I argued in from of three judges in the quarter final round and came out as one of the top two amount the four in my room.. which meant morrreeee arguing, AT THIS POINT I was sooo Tired and ready for it to be over.

Now we get to the semi final round and only 1 person from each room would advance, and there was a panel of 5 judges, I emphasize the amount of judges because this means more questions from more people, that you have to keep up with, answer, and attempt to get back to the point you were trying to make. This time I was a little nervous, thankfully my husband was there to cheer me on. Letting me know that I'm better under pressure, and I've been here before (One of my favorite sermons from Pastor F)

Just like the other rounds, I handled it well. Did not advance ;( but I felt great knowing I fell short by one two points, both the guy who advanced and I won two judges and then the tie breaker judge chose him by two points! That was great. Not only did I not plan to advance, I certainly didn't think I would be in the top 4. So to come in 2 and lose in the semifinal round, made me happy! AND I GOT THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF POINTS FOR THE GRADE EITHER WAY so hey whats there to complain about.

It was sooo much fun, and the Professor who runs moot court said one of the judges was shocked I didn't make the final 4 :)

Everyone keeps asking if I PLAN TO JOIN THE MOOT COURT TEAM, and as of now I say IDK but I do no, no I don't plan to join. However they are having a meeting and serving chipotle Monday so I will be there for the free grub. lol

I'd rather join trial team and given my family life--- with all the traveling I cant do both, but I MURDERED MOOT COURT! :)