Page 13 - Briefcase V36 Number 1

Fernando Basilio, Sydney Nguyen, Carlos Ruiz, and Danny Avila

MOOT COURT COMPETITION IN SPANISH TAKES UHLC For Fernando Basilio 2L, his time in Colombia has inspired him to
STUDENTS TO COLOMBIA pursue practice in the field of international investment arbitration.
Three University of Houston Law Center students traveled to Bogotá, “This experience has opened my eyes to the world of international
Colombia as they participated in the International Investment investment arbitration, and it is an area of law that I would like to keep
Arbitration Competition, a moot court contest conducted entirely in learning about.”
Spanish. Sydney Nguyen 3L said the competition was one of the most satisfying
“With the Law Center’s proximity to Latin America, providing our and challenging experiences she has undertaken. She credited some of
students with an opportunity to interact with the Latin American her success to learning Spanish while completing her undergraduate
legal culture is a tremendous benefit,” said Jim Lawrence, director of education at the University of Houston.
the Blakely Advocacy Institute. “Participating in this competition also “The problem was complex and covered investment arbitration, a vast
supports two main goals of the Law Center: diversity and international area of law that was completely new to me, and a growing field,” Nguyen
branding. The fact that the competition is entirely in Spanish makes this said. “The fact that this competition was completely in Spanish made it
competition even more unique.” especially challenging during the whole process of research, writing, and
Second-year Law Center student Carlos Ruiz said the competition oral arguments.
proved to be stimulating, even for someone who grew up speaking “When Jim Lawrence asked if I wanted to take on this challenge, I was
Spanish. thrilled and excited to push myself to accomplish something I will
“It was a very different experience from what we are used to in the U.S.,” never forget. I attribute my experience to my teammates and coaches,
he said. “Even for a native Spanish speaker, it was challenging to keep a Lorena Perez-McGill, Julián Cárdenas García and Eldy Quintanilla
conversation or argument with an attorney that comes from a different Roche, who were all very supportive and crucial to my growth and
educational system. I hope more students are able to have the same success from the start.”
experience.”

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