In March 2021, a team of students from the Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (USMA) represented Panama at the Global Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, widely regarded as the largest moot court competition in the world in the field of public international law.
That year’s competition brought together hundreds of university teams from around the world—more than 570 teams in the global rounds—which, through written memorials and oral arguments, addressed a fictional dispute before a tribunal inspired by the International Court of Justice.
Members of the USMA Team – Jessup 2021
The team that represented Panama was composed of the following USMA law students:
- Joaquín Jácome
- Carlos Ayarza
- Dagoberto Rodríguez
- Eliécer Lu
- Stella Finlayson
Under the guidance of international law professor Alonso Illueca, together with instructors Gloria Correa and Juan José Crespo, the team advanced through the global rounds and competed in the advanced stages of the competition, facing teams from a wide range of international jurisdictions.
The participation of the Panamanian students in this edition enabled them to develop skills in legal research, analysis, advocacy, and oral litigation in English, while also fostering academic exchange and professional interaction with participants from multiple countries.
Institutional Role of Lovill
In its capacity as National Administrator of the Philip C. Jessup Competition in Panama, Lovill provided institutional support to the organization of the national process and to the participation of the Panamanian team in the international rounds. This support forms part of the firm’s commitment to legal education, the development of young talent, and the promotion of high-level academic opportunities in public international law.
This article is based on information originally published in national media:
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/vida-y-culture/culture/jovenes-representan-panama-jessup-global-DJLE446522
