Fornoff Competition Finals
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 | Noon
McQuade Law Auditorium
In this dynamic Moot Court competition, Toledo Law students demonstrated their oral advocacy skills in front of a panel of judges as either plaintiff or defense counsel. The judges presented the Best Team to Natalie Beaverson and Matt Scheneman and Best Oralist to Caelan Hunt. This free, public event is presented by The University of Toledo College of Law's Moot Court Board.
Competition Case
Students will tackle a hypothetical case, Emily Deason, a minor, by and through her parent, Constance Deason v. RICARDO VERNON, Principal of Central High School; UNKNOWN NAMED MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION, CALVIN TOWER, Superintendent for the City of Ann Arbor School District, all in their official and individual capacities, arising under the First Amendment and a school's right to regulate a student's speech. Students looked at relevant caselaw to determine 1) if the school had the ability to regulate a student's speech in this scenario; and 2) assuming the school could regulate the student’s speech, under the Tinker standard of substantial disruption, did the post create a substantial disruption or was it foreseeable that it would create a substantial disruption at the school? Students will also tackle the procedural issue of summary judgement.
Finalists
Caileigh Angerman and Caelan Hunt will represent Emily Deason (appellant). Natalie Beaverson and Matt Scheneman will represent Central High School (appellee). In a previous stage of the competition, Matt Scheneman won and was named the Barrister. Natalie Beaverson came in second place and was named the Solicitor.
Caileigh Angerman
Natalie Beaverson (Solicitor)
Caelan Hunt
Matt Scheneman
(Barrister)
Judicial Panel
The presiding panel of distinguished judges include Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, Judge Michael J. Newman, and Judge Benita Y. Pearson.
About the Competition
The Charles W. Fornoff Appellate Advocacy Competition is named for former Dean Charles W. Fornoff and honors his tenure as a Toledo Law professor and administrator from 1939-70. Fornoff actively sought to safeguard educational opportunities for all aspiring lawyers.
This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the intra-school competition, which helps second- and third-year students gain real-world experience in oral advocacy. The competition begins with dozens of participants each spring and continues into the following fall semester.
The college's Moot Court Board organizes the competition. Professors Llew Gibbons and Krys Beech serve as the Fornoff faculty advisors. Judge James G. Carr, a professor of law emeritus at the College of Law and senior U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, coordinates the judges' panel.
Additional Information
Explore Fornoff Competition Details to learn more about the competition case, participants, judges, and more.