Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition

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About the Duberstein Competition

Jointly sponsored by St. John’s Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), the annual Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition is one of the nation’s preeminent moot court competitions. It promotes and recognizes the finest oral and written advocacy on significant issues in bankruptcy practice.

Student teams representing law schools from across the country argue in at least two preliminary rounds on alternating sides, with 16 teams advancing beyond the preliminary rounds. Bankruptcy practitioners judge the preliminary rounds and briefs, and leading appellate and bankruptcy judges preside in the advanced rounds.

Students do not need to have Bankruptcy Law experience to compete and advance, and all competitors receive a certificate of achievement. 

The Competition is named for the late Chief Bankruptcy Judge Conrad B. Duberstein, a 1941 graduate of St. John’s Law and an early director of ABI. A leader in bankruptcy education, St. John's Law offers the nation's premier LL.M. in Bankruptcy program. ABI is the largest multidisciplinary membership organization devoted to research and education on insolvency issues.

The American Bankruptcy Institute Endowment Fund presents the following awards to the winners:

  • $5,000 to the first-place team
  • $3,000 to the second-place team
  • $1,500 to the two third-place teams
  • $1,000 each for Best Oralist and Best Brief

2025 Competition Information

Dates

Saturday, March 1, 2025 to Monday, March 3, 2025

Location

  • Preliminary Rounds: St. John's Law, Queens, NY
  • Advanced Rounds: Conrad B. Duberstein U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse, Brooklyn, NY

Registration

The 2025 Duberstein Competition is open to any ABA-accredited law school. The registration fee is $1,195 per team, and we cap registration at 50 teams. Each school can register one team of two or three students, plus a second team that will be waitlisted until registration closes and we see if there are open spots to fill.  

The $1195 team registration fee includes:

  • Lunch on Saturday, 3/1/25 and Sunday, 3/2/25 for competitors and coaches 
  • A reception on Sunday, 3/2/25 for competitors and coaches 
  • Lunch on Monday, 3/3/25 for teams that have advanced 
  • Admission to the Gala Reception on Monday, March 3, 2025 for all competitors. (Coaches can purchase tickets at a discounted rate.)  

Registration for the 2025 Duberstein Competition opens on Monday, September 30, 2024 and closes on Monday, November 25, 2024. You can register through the ABI website starting Monday, September 30, 2024.

Public Health Requirements

We expect to hold the 2025 Duberstein Competition in person. As of now, competitors and coaches don’t have to be vaccinated against COVID-19, provide proof of prior vaccination, wear masks, or engage in social distancing. However, at their discretion, judicial officers may require competitors, coaches, and attendees in the EDNY Courthouse to wear masks and engage in social distancing. All Competition and Gala Reception attendees, including all competitors, coaches, and judges, must be prepared for changes in vaccination, masking, and social distancing requirements. If any changes occur, we'll provide that information before the Competition.

2024 Competition Materials

Problem

2024 Competition Problem

Rules

2024 Competition Rules

2024 Competition Results

First Place

University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (32)

Second Place

Florida International University College of Law (28)

Semifinalists

  • Fordham University School of Law (9)
  • University of Memphis-Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Team 2 (48)

Quarterfinalists

  • Baylor University School of Law Team 1 (4)
  • Chicago-Kent College of Law (20)
  • Hofstra University—Maurice A. Deane School of Law Hempstead (21)
  • University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (33)

Best Brief

Florida International University College of Law (28)

Outstanding Briefs

Best Advocate

Tansy Nicholson
Baylor University School of Law – Team 1 (4)

Outstanding Advocates  

  • Cateri Christinis
    Duquesne University School of Law (38)
  • Polina DeClue
    SMU Dedman School of Law – Team 2 (37)
  • John Federico
    Hofstra University – Maurice A. Dean School of Law (21)
  • Katelyn Garciga
    Florida International University College of Law (28)

Learn More

To learn more about the Duberstein Competition, email us at [email protected]

Past Competitions

Here is an archive of past Duberstein Competition results.

Competition Problem

2023 Competition Problem

Competition Results

First Place

Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (2)

Second Place

University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (7)

Semifinalists

  • University of Miami School of Law, Team 1 (3)
  • Fordham University School of Law (5)

Quarterfinalists

  • Emory University School of Law, Team 2 (22)
  • Texas A&M School of Law (42)
  • University of Illinois College of Law (13)
  • University of Kansas School of Law (6)
  • Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (1)

Best Brief

University of Miami School of Law, Team 1 (3)

Outstanding Briefs

Best Advocate

Trent Mansfield, Samford University (23)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Tansy Ackerman, Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (2)
  • Nathaniel Oehl, University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (7)
  • Garner Vance, University of Mississippi School of Law (11)
  • Macey Weeks, Samford University (23)

Competition Results

First Place

Howard University School of Law (37)

Second Place

University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (12)

Semifinalists

  • Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (6) 
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Team 2 (43)

Quarterfinalists

  • Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (7)
  • Michigan State University College of Law (2)
  • University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (10)
  • University of Illinois College of Law (8)

Best Brief

  • University of Illinois College of Law (8)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Michigan State University College of Law (2)
  • Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (6)
  • University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (12)
  • Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law (39)

Best Advocate

Emony Robertson, Howard University School of Law (37)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • John Conover, University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (15)
  • Nancy Eriksen, Stetson University College of Law (29)
  • Jessica Munoz Nunez, University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
  • Shelby Savage, University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (10)

Competition Results

First Place

Baylor University School of Law

Second Place

University of Texas School of Law

Third Place

  • Emory University School of Law
  • Mississippi College School of Law

Best Brief  

Emory University School of Law

Outstanding Briefs

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law 
  • Howard University School of Law
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • University of Michigan Law School  
  • University of Texas School of Law

Best Advocate 

Abigail Emery, University of Texas School of Law 

Outstanding Advocacy 

  • Erin McManus, Mississippi College School of Law 
  • Ronald Espinal, Stetson University College of Law 
  • Brenna Scully, University of California at Los Angeles School of Law 
  • Leandra Lopez, University of Miami School of Law 

Competition Results

First Place

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (12)

Second Place

Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)

Finalists

  • University of Notre Dame Law School (55) 
  • University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (8)

Semifinalists

  • University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (27)
  • Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)
  • University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 2 (26)
  • University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (12)
  • University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 1 (25)
  • Chicago-Kent College of Law (15)
  • University of Notre Dame Law School (55)
  • Emory University School of Law, Team 1 (36)
  • New York University School of Law (44)
  • University of Michigan Law School (54)
  • Baylor Law School, Team 2 (6)
  • University of Wisconsin Madison Law School (14)
  • University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Team 2 (17)
  • University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (8)
  • University of Alabama School of Law, Team 2 (28)

Best Brief

Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Emory University School of Law, Team 1 (36)
  • University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (27)
  • University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 2 (26)
  • University of Notre Dame Law School (55)

Best Advocate

Destiney Thompson, Campbell University School of Law (2)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Cayton Chrisman, Emory University School of Law, Team 2 (37)
  • Taylor McCullough, Baylor Law School, Team 2 (6)
  • Clayton Schmitt, University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
  • Jack Schultz, University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 1 (25)

Competition Results

First Place

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law

Second Place

University of Miami School of Law

Third Place

  • University of Mississippi School of Law
  • University of Texas School of Law

Best Brief 

Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law

Outstanding Briefs

  • Stetson University College of Law
  • The University of Texas School of Law
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
  • University of Michigan Law School

Best Advocate

  • Kathryn Trent, Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law
  • Outstanding Advocacy
  • Grant Krag. Mississippi College School of Law
  • Stephen Kish, University of Nevada Law Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law
  • Nathan Simpson, The University of Mississippi School of Law
  • Brenton Thompson, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University

Competition Results

First Place

University of Alabama School of Law (14)

Second Place

The George Washington University Law School (50)

Finalists

  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
  • ​University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10) 

Semifinalists

  • Baylor Law School - Team 1 (8)
  • Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
  • Florida Coastal School of Law - Team (38)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
  • Suffolk University Law School (1)
  • The George Washington University Law School (50)
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law (16)
  • UCLA School of Law (24)
  • University of Alabama School of Law (14)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (18)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (35)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 2 (36)
  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10) 
  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (11)
  • University of Washington School of Law (46)
  • Wayne State University Law School - Team 2 (21)

Best Brief

UCLA School of Law (24)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 2 (36)
  • ​University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10)

Best Advocate

Ashley Venegas – Florida Coastal School of Law - Team (38)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • David Crampton  – Baylor Law School - Team 1 (8)
  • Kevin Miller – Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
  • Martin Rowe – Brooklyn Law School (27)
  • ​Stefan Caris Love – UCLA School of Law (24)

Competition Results

First Place

University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)

Second Place

University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)

Third Place 

  • Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38)
  • SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)

Finalists

  • University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)

Semifinalists

  •          Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38) 
  •          Georgia State University College of Law (1) 
  •          Mississippi College School of Law - Team 1 (15)
  •          Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (16)
  •          Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (5)
  •          Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)
  •          Suffolk University Law School (17) 
  •          Texas Tech University School of Law (45)
  •          The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law - Team 1 (25)
  •          University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
  •          University of Kentucky College of Law (44) 
  •          University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2) 
  •          University of Miami School of Law - Team 2 (3)
  •          University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (8) 
  •          University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (9) 
  •          William and Mary Law School (36)

Best Brief

Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38)

Outstanding Briefs

  • University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)
  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (9)
  • Wayne State University School of Law (27)

Best Advocate

Alexander P. Cohen – SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (5)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Nekketta Archie – Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law - Team 1 (7)
  • Barret Armbruster – SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)
  • Morgan Keup – Mississippi College School of Law - Team 1 (15)
  • Aditya Patel – Emory University School of Law - Team 1 (12)

Competition Results

First Place

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (5)

Second Place

University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law Team 1 (51)

Third Place 

  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (2)
  • University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (17)

Finalists

  • Baylor University School of Law - Team 1 (30)
  • Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (2)
  • Stetson University College of Law (7)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (5)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (8)
  • University of Texas School of Law – Team 1 (16)
  • University of Texas School of Law – Team 2 (17)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (51)

Semifinalists

  • Baylor University Law School - Team 1 (30)
  • Baylor University Law School - Team 2 (31)
  • Emory University School of Law - Team 2 (22)
  • Georgetown University Law Center (48)
  • Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (2)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (4)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (5)
  • Stetson University College of Law (7)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (44)
  • The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law - Team 1 (20)
  • University of Idaho College of Law - Team 1 (34)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (8)
  • University of Miami School of Law - Team 2 (9)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (51)
  • University of Texas School of Law - Team 1 (16)
  • University of Texas School of Law - Team 2 (17)

Best Brief

University of Idaho, Team 1 (34)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Baylor University Team 2 (31)
  • Mississippi College of Law Team 2 (2)
  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law (32)
  • University of Nevada William S.  Boyd School of Law Team 1 (51)

Best Advocate

Hannah  Roblyer - University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (17)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Barret Armbruster - Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (4)
  • Daniel Hatoum - University of Texas School of Law (17)
  • Forrest S. Jackson - University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law (51)
  • Angela Oliver - Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (5)

Competition Results

First Place

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (15)

Second Place

University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (7)

Third Place 

  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (14)
  • The University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (19)

Finalists

  • Emory University School of Law Team 2 (2)
  • Florida Coastal School of Law (12)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (14)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (15)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (50)
  • The University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (19)
  • University of Maine School of Law Team 2 (25)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (7)

Semifinalists

  • Emory University School of Law Team 2 (2)
  • Florida Coastal School of Law (12)
  • George Mason University School of Law (56)
  • Georgia State University College of Law (16)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (35)
  • Regent University School of Law (52)
  • Seton Hall University School of Law (46)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (14)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (15)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (50)
  • The University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (19)
  • University of Idaho College of Law Team 2 (27)
  • University of Maine School of Law Team 2 (25)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (7)
  • University of San Diego School of Law (44)
  • William & Mary Law School (32)

Best Brief

University of San Diego School of Law (44)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Florida Coastal School of Law (12)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (15)
  • The University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (19)
  • University of Maine School of Law Team 2 (25)

Best Advocate

Leah Aaronson – University of Miami School of Law Team 2 (8)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Candace Bowen - Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (35)
  • Kasey Mitchell - Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (35)
  • Jane Ostdiek - William and Mary Law School (32)
  • Niravkumar Patel - Texas Tech University School of Law (50) 

Competition Results

First Place

Georgia State University College of Law (24)

Second Place

Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (13)

Third Place 

  • Texas Tech University School of Law (21)
  • University of Memphis School of Law Team 1 (20)

Finalists

  • Georgia State University College of Law (24)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (13)
  • Stetson University College of Law (25)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (21)
  • University of Memphis School of Law Team 1 (20)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1(1)
  • University of  Mississippi School of Law (33)
  • University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (18)

Semifinalists

  • Baylor University School of Law Team 2 (39)
  • Emory University School of Law (16)
  • Florida Coastal School of Law Team 2 (41)
  • Georgia State University College of Law (24)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (13)
  • Seattle University School of Law (14)
  • Stetson University College of Law (25)
  • South Texas College of Law (58)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (21)
  • University of Idaho College of Law Team 1 (44)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (1)
  • University of Memphis School of Law Team 1 (20)
  • University of Mississippi School of Law (33)
  • University of San Diego School of Law Team 1 (64)
  • University of Texas School of  Law Team 2 (18)
  • Valparaiso University School of Law (36)

Best Brief

University of Memphis School of Law Team 1 (20)

Outstanding Briefs

  • Texas Tech University School of Law (21)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (1)
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School (52)
  • University of San Diego School of Law Team 1(64)

Best Advocate

Jennifer D’Augustinis - Florida Coastal School of Law Team 2 (41)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Danilo Bandovic - Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (10)
  • Charles Pearson - Florida Coastal School of Law Team 2 (41)
  • Austin Teng - SMU Dedman School of Law Team 1 (3)
  • William Tran - SMU Dedman School of Law Team 1 (3)

Competition Results

First Place

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (21)

Second Place

Florida Coastal School of Law Team 1 (32)

Third Place 

  • Stetson University College of Law Team 1 (5)
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (39)

Finalists

  • Florida Coastal School of Law Team 1 (32)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (2)
  • New York University School of Law (26)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (21)
  • Stetson University College of Law Team 1 (5)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (43)
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (39)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 2 (11)

Semifinalists

  • Florida Coastal School of Law Team 1 (32)
  • George Mason University School of Law (54)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 1 (1)
  • Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (2)
  • New York University School of Law (26)
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (21)
  • St. Thomas University School of Law (4)
  • Stetson University College of Law Team 1 (5)
  • Texas Tech University School of Law (43)
  • The University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (41)
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law(39)
  • University of Houston Law Center Team 1 (7)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (10)
  • University of Miami School of Law Team 2 (11)
  • University of San Diego School of Law Team 1(47)
  • University of South Dakota School of Law (40)

Best Brief

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (21)

Outstanding Briefs

  • University of Miami School of Law Team 2 (11)
  • University of Maine School of Law Team 2 (64)
  • George Mason University School of Law (54)
  • Stetson University College of Law Team 1 (5)

Best Advocate

Nicholas Andrews - University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (39)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Doug Keeton - Brooklyn Law School (19)
  • Jose Becerra - University of Miami School of Law Team 1 (10)
  • Lauren Murphree - Texas Tech University School of Law (43)
  • Rishi Patni - Florida Coastal School of Law Team 1 (32)

Competition Results

First Place

University of Texas School of Law – Team 1 (24)

Second Place

Stetson University College of Law -Team 1 (5) 

Third Place 

  • Stetson University College of Law ~ Team 2 (6)
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (9) 

Finalists

  • Florida Coastal School of Law (12)
  • Stetson University College of Law – Team 2 (6)
  • Stetson University College of Law – Team 1 (5) 
  • Texas Tech University School of Law – Team 1 (42)
  • University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law (9)
  • University of Houston Law Center – Team 1 (1)
  • University of Texas School of Law – Team 1 (24)
  • University of Texas School of Law – Team 2 (25) 

Semifinalists

  • Emory University School of Law
  • Florida Coastal School of Law
  • Hofstra University School of Law
  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
  • Mississippi College School of Law ~ Team 1
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law ~ Team 2
  • Stetson University College of Law ~ Team 1
  • Stetson University College of Law ~ Team 2
  • Texas Tech University School of Law ~ Team 1
  • The John Marshall School of Law
  • University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
  • University of Houston Law Center ~ Team 1
  • University of Houston Law Center ~ Team 2
  • University of Miami School of Law ~ Team 2
  • University of Texas School of Law ~ Team 1
  • University of Texas School of Law ~ Team 2 

Best Brief

University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (9) 

Outstanding Briefs

  • Hofstra University School of Law (23)
  • The John Marshall Law School (11)
  • University of Houston Law Center - Team 1 (1)
  • University of San Diego School of Law - Team 1 (29) 

Best Advocate

Hunter Oliver - Baylor University School of Law - Team 2 (36)

Outstanding Advocacy

  • Morgan Harkins - Baylor University School of Law - Team 2 (36)
  • Betsy Turley - Mississippi College School of Law Team 1 (31)
  • Narbeh Issasholian-Havai - Chapman University School of Law (47)
  • Brian Cumings - University of Texas School of Law ~ Team 1 (24)