Students from Western New England University School of Law delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC), representing the University with exceptional skill, professionalism, and poise.
Competing against law students from across the country in White Plains, Sierra Sellers and Tiffany Thibodau earned high praise from judges for their composure, organization, and command of complex legal issues—while facing intense questioning from very “hot benches.”
Moot court is a simulated appellate court competition in which law students argue fictional cases before panels of judges. Unlike trial competitions, which focus on presenting evidence and examining witnesses, moot court centers on appellate advocacy—the type of argument attorneys present before federal and state appellate courts. Students draft detailed written briefs, conduct extensive legal research, and deliver oral arguments while responding in real time to probing judicial questions.
The NELMCC is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier environmental law advocacy competitions. This year’s problem involved a fictional federal appellate case challenging a state climate statute that imposed fees on fossil fuel producers and certain property owners to fund climate adaptation efforts.
Over the course of the competition, Sellers and Thibodau tackled sophisticated constitutional and administrative law questions, including standing, intervention, federal preemption, due process limits on extraterritorial regulation, and the Dormant Commerce Clause.
The pair began preparing in the fall 2025 semester, drafting their appellate brief before advancing to the national competition this past week. During oral arguments, they demonstrated exceptional versatility by representing three different parties: the United States, the State of New Union, and the Innocent Purchasers of Homes. Arguing multiple perspectives required strategic agility, deep mastery of the record, and the ability to pivot seamlessly under pressure—making for fast-paced, rigorous, and deeply substantive rounds.
Their success reflects both individual dedication and the strength of the WNE Moot Court Program. The team benefited from assistant coaching by Bren Chaisson and the support of Dean Zelda Harris, Professor Jessica Mahon Scoles and Professor Bridgette Baldwin.
NELMCC coach and Professor of Law Julie Steiner emphasized that competitions like NELMCC are central to the School’s experiential learning model. “Moot court is where doctrine becomes practice and Sierra and Tiffany exemplified what experiential learning at WNE Law is all about,” Steiner said. “Students move beyond reading cases to standing at the podium, defending their analysis, and thinking on their feet. That kind of immersive, high-pressure experience builds the confidence, precision, and professionalism they will rely on throughout their legal careers.”
The Western New England University School of Law community is proud of Sellers and Thibodau for their outstanding representation of the School and for exemplifying the analytical rigor, advocacy excellence, and professionalism that define WNE Law graduates.
