Coached by Jade Sheppard, Paul Joseph Dela Cruz, Kirtan Swamy, Elly-May Drier and Alex Vander, the team were the first La Trobe Law students to participate in this competition and they made a strong debut.
Marko said the experience was an excellent opportunity to sharpen his advocacy skills.
“I also deepened my understanding of effective legal research, reasoning and submission writing. Best of all, I got to do it with an amazing team whose preparation, practice, discipline, trust and relentless feedback turned complex legal questions into clear, workable submissions. It was the highest-scoring memorandum of the competition receiving a 93/100.”
Gihansa was named Best Speaker in the grand final, placed third overall in the preliminary rounds, and the team also received the Best Respondent Memorandum award.
“Mooting is one of the most rewarding experiences a law student can have. It challenges you to think critically, communicate clearly and collaborate under pressure. This win reflects not only our shared effort but also the incredible support of our mentors, coaches and law school community. I could not have asked for better teammates or a more rewarding journey.”
Elise added that the experience was about much more than the result.
“The Victorian Law Firm Moot was never just about the final verdict; it was about the journey we took to get there. Every late night of preparation, every moment of doubt and every shared laugh reminded us why we do this. It’s in the trials and triumphs that we grew, as advocates, as teammates and as friends.”
Professor Lorne Neudorf, Dean of La Trobe Law School, said the “impressive result reflects the strength of mooting at La Trobe Law School.”
“Taught by leading academics and experienced legal practitioners, our law students receive an outstanding education that equips them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in legal practice.”
“With the support of our Law Students’ Association, dedicated coaches and engaged alumni, La Trobe law students develop strong advocacy skills and teamwork. This achievement makes clear that La Trobe Law School students represent the next generation of leading advocates in Victoria, across Australia and beyond.”
