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 2017, the UW Vis Team won the regional competition in San Diego in February. In March, the team finished in the top 8 out of 125 teams at the Vis East competition in Hong Kong. This year, the team won the San Diego regional competition for the second time in a row, and will be traveling to Vienna, Austria in March 2018 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, Laura Zanzig, Dara Levinson, and many other former team members and supporters!
In 2017, the UW Vis Team won the regional competition in San Diego in February. In March, the team finished in the top 8 out of 125 teams at the Vis East competition in Hong Kong. This year, the team won the San Diego regional competition for the second time in a row, and will be traveling to Vienna, Austria in March 2018 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, Laura Zanzig, Dara Levinson, and many other former team members and supporters!
Past Results
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
Tryouts for new members will take place in May 2016, shortly after the HCMP 1L Appellate Advocacy Competition. You can find more information on the Tryouts page.
2017-18 MembersGabby Hanna (3L)
Vanessa Williams-Hall (3L) Madeline Lamo (3L) Ben Moore (2L) Kirsten Parris (2L) Colin Patrick (2L) |
2016-17 MembersRaz Barnea (3L)
Hathaway Burden (3L) Kelsey Christianson (3L) Zachary Gussin (3L) Maddie Lamo (2L) Gabrielle Hanna (2L) Vanessa Williams-Hall (2L) |
2015-16 MembersElisabeth Forsyth (3L)
Sophie Jin (3L) Raz Barnea (2L) Hathaway Burden (2L) Kelsey Christianson (2L) Zachary Gussin (2L) |