About the Competition

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is an annual moot court competition devoted to the resolution of international commercial disputes through arbitration. Competitions occur around the end of March or the beginning of April in both Vienna and Hong Kong. The University of Washington team typically alternates between the two, competing in Vienna one year and Hong Kong the next year. The team attends a fun regional competition a month prior in sunny San Diego, California.
In February 2020, the UW Vis Team came in second place at the regional competition in San Diego. In March, the Vis competition in Vienna, Austria was canceled due to the pandemic. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the team looks forward to competing in the regional competition in San Diego in February 2021 and then traveling to Vienna, Austria in March 2021 to compete against approximately 300 other universities from around the world.
Time Commitment
The Vis team is a two-year commitment and requires approximately 4-5 hours per week from October through February for both your second and third years of law school. From October until January the team is devoted to researching, writing, and editing two briefs. The first brief is submitted in December, the second in January. From February until April the team meets approximately two times a week to prepare for oral arguments.
The team competes in a two-day regional competition in San Diego during an early weekend of February. The big international competition lasts approximately 10-11 days. If generally falls partially during the week of Spring Break, but students should still be prepared to possibly miss a few days of classes early in Spring Quarter while the team competes in Vienna or Hong Kong.
Written Component
1 Brief for Claimant, due in December; 1 Brief for Respondent, due in January
Coaches
Andrew Murphy, Alex Wu, Peter Day, Raz Barnea, Laura Zanzig, Dara Levinson, and many other former team members and supporters!
In February 2020, the UW Vis Team came in second place at the regional competition in San Diego. In March, the Vis competition in Vienna, Austria was canceled due to the pandemic. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the team looks forward to competing in the regional competition in San Diego in February 2021 and then traveling to Vienna, Austria in March 2021 to compete against approximately 300 other universities from around the world.
Time Commitment
The Vis team is a two-year commitment and requires approximately 4-5 hours per week from October through February for both your second and third years of law school. From October until January the team is devoted to researching, writing, and editing two briefs. The first brief is submitted in December, the second in January. From February until April the team meets approximately two times a week to prepare for oral arguments.
The team competes in a two-day regional competition in San Diego during an early weekend of February. The big international competition lasts approximately 10-11 days. If generally falls partially during the week of Spring Break, but students should still be prepared to possibly miss a few days of classes early in Spring Quarter while the team competes in Vienna or Hong Kong.
Written Component
1 Brief for Claimant, due in December; 1 Brief for Respondent, due in January
Coaches
Andrew Murphy, Alex Wu, Peter Day, Raz Barnea, Laura Zanzig, Dara Levinson, and many other former team members and supporters!
Recent Success
2019-2020
The Vis team came in second place at the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA in February 2020. Team members Danika Duffy and Wonji Kerper argued the semi-final and final rounds. Additionally, Danika Duffy was awarded the Second Place Speaker Award.
The Vis team came in second place at the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA in February 2020. Team members Danika Duffy and Wonji Kerper argued the semi-final and final rounds. Additionally, Danika Duffy was awarded the Second Place Speaker Award.
2017-2018
The Vis Team won the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA in February 2018. Team members Vanessa Williams-Hall and Colin Patrick argued the semi-final and final rounds to secure a win for the team. Additionally, Gabrielle Hanna was awarded the Second Place Speaker award.
The Vis Team won the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA in February 2018. Team members Vanessa Williams-Hall and Colin Patrick argued the semi-final and final rounds to secure a win for the team. Additionally, Gabrielle Hanna was awarded the Second Place Speaker award.
2016-2017
The Vis Team took home the Championship this year after competing in the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA. In addition to winning the competition, two members won speaker awards. Congratulations to all for such a strong showing!
Best Speaker: Zachary Gussin
Honorable Mention: Kelsey Christianson
The team finished in the top 8 out of 125 teams at the Vis East competition in Hong Kong. In addition to finishing as the top American team in the entire competition, two team members won Honorable Mention Awards for Best Oral Advocate: Zachary Gussin and Madeline Lamo.
The Vis Team took home the Championship this year after competing in the Michael Thorsnes Vis Pre-Moot in San Diego, CA. In addition to winning the competition, two members won speaker awards. Congratulations to all for such a strong showing!
Best Speaker: Zachary Gussin
Honorable Mention: Kelsey Christianson
The team finished in the top 8 out of 125 teams at the Vis East competition in Hong Kong. In addition to finishing as the top American team in the entire competition, two team members won Honorable Mention Awards for Best Oral Advocate: Zachary Gussin and Madeline Lamo.
How to Join
You can find more information on the Tryouts page.
2019-2020 MembersGabrielle Lindquist (3L)
Wonji Kerper (3L) Danika Duffy (3L) Campbell Stuart (2L) Grace Egger (2L) Olivia Hagel (2L) |
2018-19 MembersBen Moore (3L)
Kirsten Parris (3L) Colin Patrick (3L) Danika Duffy (2L) Wonji Kerper (2L) Gabrielle Lindquist (2L) |
2017-18 MembersGabrielle Hanna (3L)
Madeline Lamo (3L) Vanessa Williams-Hall (3L) Ben Moore (2L) Kirsten Parris (2L) Colin Patrick (2L) |
2016-17 Members |
2015-16 Members |
Raz Barnea (3L)
Hathaway Burden (3L) Kelsey Christianson (3L) Zachary Gussin (3L) Gabrielle Hanna (2L) Madeline Lamo (2L) Vanessa Williams-Hall (2L) |
Elisabeth Forsyth (3L)
Sophie Jin (3L) Raz Barnea (2L) Hathaway Burden (2L) Kelsey Christianson (2L) Zachary Gussin (2L) |