Students Argue Before Justices in Moot Court Final Four Competition

Press Date
November 17, 2023
Moot Court Final Four competition winners presenting awards

(L-R) Moot Court Final Four Competitors Ray Emmerson, John Barry,
Allison Laudadio, and Zachary Homeijer 

On Wednesday, November 8, four second-year law students competed in the 2023 Moot Court Final Four Competition at the Florida Supreme Court. The students presented oral arguments on a fictitious First Amendment case before all seven justices of the Florida Supreme Court—an incredible opportunity for our students! The case, City of Kensington, et al., v. Jon Henrikson, dealt with the issues of whether a statute was unconstitutional under the First Amendment for being impermissibly vague and overbroad, sweeping in a substantial amount of protected speech, and failing to specify the intent requirement, as well as whether Henrikson was improperly arrested for the content of his protected speech, in violation of the First Amendment. John Barry and Ray Emmerson represented the petitioner, and Zachary Homeijer and Allison Laudadio represented the respondent. Following the Final Four Competition, the Moot Court Team held a reception at the law school for the competitors, justices, and competition attendees, where Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz announced Laudadio's selection as Best Advocate. Congratulations to our talented students on a job well done, and thank you to Shutts & Bowen LLP for sponsoring the competition! A recording of the competition is available on the FSU Law Facebook page.