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IU McKinney student Haixin Zhang emerged triumphant in her quest for personal and professional growth as an international Master of Laws (LL.M.) student, after competing in the Jessup Moot Court Competition from February 19-22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.  

Zhang, together with fellow LL.M. student, Iurie Cuciuc, and J.D. student John P. Miller (2L), got official acknowledgement for their top-ten Memorial, beating out many other formidable law schools, in the largest and best known international law Moot Court competition globally.  Mark Shope (J.D. ’12) and James Zender (J.D. ‘12) coached their team.  Professor George Edwards served as adviser.  

The team and coaches had been preparing for this event since the Fall.  They turned in their two-brief submission (Applicant and Respondent Memorials) at the end of January, and worked on pre-moots every Tuesday and Thursday evening for the month prior to the competition.   

Haixin said, “I am so blessed to be a part of our school’s Jessup Team this year.  It took nearly four months from preparation to the final competition. During the whole process, the most difficult part we had was that one of our teammates quit half a month before the submission deadline of our memorandum, which was really a big shock for us, but our coach gave us an idea that inspired us impressively.”  The coach told them “lawyers never say give it up, we are lawyers, we need to figure things out.”  Haixin said, “Under this inspiration, we really made it finally and also got a really good grade in the ‘Top Ten’.”

“The next challenge for me in this competition is the oral argument,” Zhang recalled.  “It is really a hard work to present myself in front of a forum speaking my second language. But my coaches and teammates’ encouragement and help improved me a lot. The most invaluable part I learned from this is how essential self-confidence is.”

Known for his animated oratory and colorful analogies, Cuciuc, who is originally from Chisinau, Moldova, recalled, “We initially had four students on the team (all teams are comprised of at least four students), but we lost one. So, I had to argue both for petitioner and respondent - research and then present as argument both issues from opposite sides. In other words, I argued all four rounds either with Haixin or John.”

“I spoke to one judge at the competition a week ago who asked me if our team is going to the international round since she thought we were a top team. John and I did extremely well in our first round against John Marshall Law School, a team that had moved into the round of eight at Chicago last year,” Cuciuc said.  He continued, “We received compliments and advice for the international round from the judges. One of the opposing team members from John Marshall, who was a staff member at the international round, thought our team would have done well at the international round.”

For his part, Miller said, “The Jessup tradition is growing every year for our school.  It is challenging research and subject matter, argued not only against the best schools in the Midwest but also the world.  It is an experience that has made us better attorneys not only for international law but for all areas of the legal profession.”

In the regional qualifying competition in Chicago, Zhang, Miller and Cuciuc participated in four oral rounds winning one and narrowly losing the other three, usually by only a single-digit margin.  Two of their losses came from teams that went on to be quarter finalists in the competition.  

Zhang graduated from Renmin University of Beijing, China.  She came to the U.S. in August in the Fall of 2014.  She decided to participate in Jessup to increase her spoken English skills, which she says she has done in incredible leaps. Both Zhang and Miller had no experience in public international law before this competition. Cuciuc earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and his J.D. from Ohio Northern University.  

Zhang was quite grateful for her experience.  She remarked, “Thanks to all my teammates’ help.  Without them, I would not have enjoyed the whole process so much. For me, Jessup is not only a competition, it is a cherished experience of gathering with American friends to discuss, cooperate, improve and enjoy. Also thanks to our law school’s tolerance that gave me such an opportunity to be part of this. It has made my life in America more colorful and meaningful!”

The competition tackled issues involving principles of public international law.  This year’s problem involved principles akin to the ongoing crisis in Crimea between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.  The problem centered around two fictionalized countries Agnostica and Reverentia, as well as the unsettled region known as East Agnostica.  The primary issues included the use of force and intervention into the affairs of another state; secession of states and breaches of international treaties; and countermeasures.  

Any students interested in participating in the competition for next year should contact either Mark Shope markshope@gmail.com, John P. Miller j.phillipmiller1989@gmail.com, or Professor George Edwards gedwards@indiana.edu.