Emma Bissell L’27 and Elyse Maniccia L’26 tied for the Best Overall Brief award at the 2025 Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition. The team also finished third overall. The team was coached by U.S. Army Captain Nick Van Erp.
“I want to congratulate Emma and Elyse for their double accomplishments at this prestigious competition. I also want to thank Captain Van Erp, who has expertly coached numerous Syracuse Law appellate teams, generously and graciously volunteering his time,” said Professor Todd Berger, director of Advocacy Programs at Syracuse Law.
“It was a pleasure working with Emma, Elyse, and Captain Van Erp. Their professionalism and enthusiasm made a strong impression, and we were honored to host them,” said Captain Shannon K. Lorant L’22, Army JAG Field Screening Recruiting Officer.
This year marked the first time Syracuse University College of Law competed in the Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition, the most prestigious military appellate advocacy tournament hosted by the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Syracuse Law’s participation underscores its long-standing national excellence in advocacy and its historic leadership in preparing advocates for military service in the legal profession.
The Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition recognizes the written and oral appellate advocacy skills of law students and showcases the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and its vast opportunities for litigation to law students, law schools, and the public. The tournament is hosted at the United States Army Advocacy Center on Fort Belvoir, VA and the competitors argue a mock case before the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals. Past final round judges were current and former judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and senior trial judges and members of academia.
