2007 Paul A. McLennon, Sr. Honors Moot Court Competition

Spring 2007

Tournament Coordinators: Sara Vokshori & Ana Yeager
Problem Writer: Marvin Roeder

2007 Tournament Results

Finishers:
1. Andrew Haden
2. James De Silva
3. Hasmik Badalian
4. Jason Pequignot

Best Brief - Petitioner:
1. Lindsay O'Hair
1. Jason Pequignot
3. Lauren Frawley
4. Joel Morgan

Best Brief - Respondent:
1. Agnieszka Jones
2. Angela Dominguez
2. Lyndsey Tadlock
4. Grace Hwang

Best Oralist Awards:
1. Kelley O'Connell
2. Rob Uriarte
3. David Voyles
4. Alexandra Grubb

Problem:

United States v. Afshari, 426 F.3d 1150 (9th Cir. 2005), reh’g denied, 446 F.3d 915 (9th Cir. 2006)

Petitioners, Hossein Afshari et al., were indicted for knowingly and willfully providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, designated pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1189. Petitioners allege that 8 U.S.C. § 1189 violates the First Amendment because it prohibits them from challenging the foreign terrorist designation and does not provide adequate procedural safeguards to allow the prosecution of protected speech. Respondent, United States of America, argues that 8 U.S.C. § 1189 is constitutional because it adequately protects any alleged free speech rights. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that 8 U.S.C. § 1189 did not violate the First Amendment and reinstated the Petitioners’ indictments. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari on whether there is a First Amendment right to challenge the designation and if 8 U.S.C. § 1189 impermissibly restricts speech.