Duquesne Kline School of Law Student Named Best Advocate in the Nation

Brophy was named the number one Best Advocate in the United States of America out of 360 advocates. She also made Jessup history as the first ever King & Spaulding United States National Round Best Advocate. In the past, there were two best advocates from the United States – making Brophy the first #1 Best Advocate in the United States of America. 

She and her team of Darren McKenzie, 3L, and Collin Ishimaru, 2L, additionally advanced to the International Rounds of the Jessup Competition, to be held in Washington, DC, during the week of March 28. This is the first time the Duquesne Kline School of Law team has advanced to the International Round of Jessup. This Duquesne Kline School of Law team will be one of only 15 teams (out of the 91 U.S. teams that competed) to represent the United States of America at this competition. The Atlanta contest was more competitive and more difficult to advance than years past as this was the first time in 50 years that the United States held one single site National Round, as opposed to the previous two United States regional competitions.

The Jessup Competition is the world’s largest and most prestigious international law moot court competition, bringing together top law students from over 700 law schools in 100 countries to argue complex issues of international law. The competition is a simulation of a dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice.  

Adjunct Professor Amy Kerlin, L’18, and Brian Davis, L’25, coached and traveled with the team. The team was also supported by advisors Sam Nolan, L’20, Reilly Wagner, L’25, and Adjunct Professor Erin Karsman, director of the Appellate Moot Court Board program. 

The team’s success reflects the continued strength and growing national recognition of Duquesne Kline School of Law’s Appellate Moot Court Program.