The University of Wyoming’s Environment and Natural Resources Law Moot Court Team
delivered an outstanding performance at the prestigious National Environmental Law
Moot Court Competition, held February 20-22 at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at
Pace University in New York.
UW’s delegation to the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition consisted
of, from left, John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School of Environment and Natural
Resources; team members Streeter Boatright, Sam Johnson and Emily Wangen; and faculty
coach Temple Stoellinger, associate dean and Wyoming Excellence Chair in the Haub
School and an associate professor in the College of Law. (Pace University Photo)
The team -- consisting of Streeter Boatright, of Casper; Sam Johnson, of Hastings,
Neb.; and Emily Wangen, of Albert Lea, Minn. -- advanced to the semifinals, placing
among the top nine teams in the nation before narrowly missing a spot in the finals.
The competition, widely regarded as one of the most challenging in environmental law,
tested students’ advocacy skills on a complex, administrative law-heavy problem. In
a highly competitive semifinal round, the UW team faced off against two excellent
teams but fell just short of advancing to the finals.
“Sam, Streeter and Emily showcased exceptional legal advocacy on a highly complex
environmental law issue,” says faculty coach Temple Stoellinger, associate dean and
Wyoming Excellence Chair in UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
and an associate professor in the College of Law. “Advancing to the semifinals is
a testament to their deep understanding of environmental and administrative law, their
sharp legal reasoning and their ability to think on their feet under intense pressure.
They represented the University of Wyoming with skill, professionalism and determination.”
To support the team and foster further collaboration, UW Haub School Dean John Koprowski
traveled to New York, where he explored additional partnerships between UW’s Haub
School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Elizabeth Haub School of Law.
During the competition, the team also connected with UW law graduates Joe Budd and
Daniel Dorough, who are pursuing their LL.M. degrees at the Elizabeth Haub School
of Law at Pace University.
Two members of the team, Johnson and Wangen, are enrolled in UW’s Juris Doctor/Master
of Arts in Environment and Natural Resources Program, a joint degree offered by the
College of Law and the Haub School. This interdisciplinary program integrates legal
studies with environmental problem-solving, preparing graduates for careers in law,
policy, academia and beyond.
The National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition is one of the nation’s premiere
advocacy competitions, drawing law students from across the country to argue cutting-edge
environmental law issues before panels of esteemed judges. UW’s strong showing reaffirms
its reputation for producing top-tier legal advocates in the field of environmental
and natural resources law.
For more information about UW’s JD/MA program, visit www.uwyo.edu/haub/academics/graduate-students/jd-ma-law-enr-new.html.
