Marjorie Dailey and Tom Fleming, who just completed their fourth year studies at Concord Law School, became the first team from an online law school to compete in the final round of a national moot court competition. Sixty-five teams from 45 law schools around the country competed in the initial rounds of the Fourth Annual Constance Baker Motley National Moot Court Competition.

On Saturday, June 20th, Marjorie and Tom faced a team from Stanford Law School in the final round at the American Constitution Society Annual Convention in Washington, DC. They argued for the government before a panel of three judges: Judge Stephen Reinhardt from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit; Judge Karen Nelson Moore from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit; and Judge Myron H. Thompson from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. In announcing the decision that went to the Stanford team, the judges said there was “little, if any, difference in the presentations.”

David Glassman, who coached the Concord team, said those who witnessed the argument thought that it was “exceedingly close.” He went on to say, “Marjorie and Tom’s performance, as well as those of the other Concord teams I have coached, illustrates what our people are capable of doing both individually and collaboratively.” Professor Glassman, who has coached teams from many law schools over the years, praised their “dedication, maturity, and work ethic.”