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Justice Maureen O'Connor of the Supreme Court of Ohio offered remarks this evening to a group of about 100 law students and coaches participating in a regional competition of the National Moot Court Competition.
Justice O'Connor spoke at the competition banquet, held in Columbus at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Barrister Club, which is a regional sponsor of the competition, Nov. 9-11. Her speech touched on various topics relating to her experience as a judge.
“The experience that the students gain when participating in moot court competition is a great supplement to classroom knowledge,” Justice O'Connor said. “Preparing a brief, arguing before a panel of judges, and then receiving a critique of your individual and team performance is a great opportunity for any student and a real introduction to appellate practice. I enjoy participating in moot court competitions because the students are so well prepared.”
The national moot court program is co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Young Lawyers Committee of the Bar of the City of New York. More than 165 accredited law schools participate in the program involving more than 1,000 students. Students are judged on their preparation of briefs and oral argument. The winning team is invited to the spring meeting at which the person chosen as the best oral advocate is given the opportunity to address the college.
Justice O'Connor was elected in 2002 as the 148th Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio and the seventh woman to serve on the Court. She has experience as a practicing attorney, magistrate, common pleas judge, and prosecuting attorney. In 1998, she was elected as lieutenant governor and was the governor's chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and as chair of Ohio's Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee.
For a high-resolution, publication-quality photo of Justice Maureen O'Connor, click on the image above or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/images/justices/oconnor_highres.zip.
Contact: Andrea M. Strle, 614.387.9250.