MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Fellows Take the Podium for Moot Court

After months of studying legal research, claims analysis, legal citations, and advocacy, participants in the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program had an opportunity to put their classroom lessons into practice.

For their Capstone course, the fellows participated in a Moot Court exercise, presenting arguments in a civil case before a panel of judges. The event took place in Georgetown Law’s historic Supreme Court Institute courtroom. They researched the issues, prepared their legal arguments, and responded to questions from the bench.

For Antoin Green, stepping into the courtroom brought a rush of nerves. But once he began presenting his case, his preparation took over.

“Moot Court was honestly a big moment for me. I was nervous walking into that courtroom, but once I stood up there and started arguing, I realized I had prepared for this and I belonged there,” Green said.

That realization stayed with Green as he reflected on the experience and the work that brought him to that moment.

“Looking back, I’m really proud of myself. This program has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, and being able to stand in Georgetown’s courtroom and argue a case made everything I’ve been working for feel real,” he said. “It reminded me that my past doesn’t define where I can go next.”

Maged Zamzam also felt the pressure of standing before the judges. As the questions began, he found himself relying on the preparation he had done throughout the program.

“Standing at that podium in front of the judges definitely brought a rush of nerves, but once I started speaking, the preparation took over,” Zamzam said. “Experiencing that level of pressure in such an authentic courtroom environment showed me I could hold my ground under fire.”

The fellows had to respond to questions from the bench while defending their legal positions, giving them an opportunity to practice the skills they had developed throughout the program.

“It was intimidating at first, but answering tough questions coming directly from the bench was an incredible feeling,” Zamzam said. “Moot Court wasn’t just a test of what we learned in the classroom, it was proof of what we were all capable of doing as legal professionals.”

Suzanne Tsintolas, faculty director of the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program, said the Capstone gives fellows a chance to bring together the skills they have developed throughout the program.

“Moot Court requires them to put into practice what they learned in the classroom,” Tsintolas said, including legal research, claims analysis, proper legal citations, persuasive advocacy, and oral argument.

She also sees a change in the fellows once they begin arguing before the judges.

“As the fellows stand in advocacy, all apprehension, anxiety, and any sense of inferiority melt away,” she said, “visibly replaced by firm confidence grounded in knowledge and pride in their work and, most notably, in themselves.”

Now that the fellows have successfully completed Moot Court, preparation begins for yet another milestone: graduation!