Pepperdine Caruso Law Hosts United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for Armand Arabian Advocacy Tournament 2026

On Friday, September 25, 2026, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law hosted the final round of its annual Armand Arabian Advocacy Tournament. The prestigious moot court competition challenges law students to argue complex, hypothetical legal issues before a distinguished panel of jurists. This year’s final round featured US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito presiding as chief justice, alongside judge Allison Jones Rushing of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and judge Andrew Oldham of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Second-year law students Alyssa Schmidt and Sean Grey argued a Fourth Amendment case before the distinguished bench, deftly responding to probing questions from the judges to defend their arguments. This year's competition centered on a timely topic examining the constitutionality of surveillance technology as it becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible. Following a closely contested round, the panel named Schmidt the 2026 champion.

Reflecting on the experience, Schmidt felt “lucky and honored to even have the opportunity to argue in front of such a distinguished panel, as well as my fellow classmates.”

Grey echoed Schmidt’s sentiments, describing the opportunity to argue before a Supreme Court justice as an "unbelievable experience," crediting Caruso Law’s professors with helping prepare him for the moment.

The Arabian Tournament serves as Caruso Law's premier fall moot court competition and is open to all second- and third-year law students. The tournament honors the late justice Armand Arabian, a longtime champion of the law school who served on the Los Angeles Superior Court, the California Court of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court from 1972 to 1996 prior to his passing in 2018.

Opening the proceedings, Paul Caron, the Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean of the law school, noted that the competition continues to reflect the "excellence in oral advocacy we seek to develop in our students at Pepperdine Caruso Law."

As champion, Schmidt received a prize from the Arabian Fund and an award provided by alumnus Terry Giles (JD '74) in honor of his friend Philip Vincent. Runner-up Grey received an award as well as each semifinalist.

Following the arguments, members of the judicial panel commended both finalists for their exceptional preparation, poise, and persuasive advocacy, noting that they demonstrated the level of skill and composure expected in real appellate practice while highlighting the strength of Caruso Law’s advocacy curriculum. Judge Rushing specifically praised Grey’s effective rebuttal strategy, noting that he went “right to the heart of what I think was likely the respondent’s most vulnerable position.”

Judge Oldham similarly applauded the caliber of both competitors. “Both of you are an incredible credit to this institution,” he said. “You both could step into a court of appeals or the supreme court today and argue very credibly.”

Addressing Schmidt’s performance, Oldham highlighted her confidence and command of the courtroom. “Your poise was extraordinary,” he said. “[You] had a mastery of the courtroom that I think far exceeds your years and experience. You understood what you could give and what you couldn’t, and you were quite concise and principled in it.”

Justice Alito echoed his colleagues’ praise, noting that both Schmidt and Grey demonstrated a level of maturity and skill that he considered to be beyond their years. Before announcing the champion, Justice Alito acknowledged how closely contested the final round had been. “The only unpleasant aspect of our experience here today is having to pick a winner because it was close. It was really close,” he said. “We decided by a hair that the winner is Ms. Schmidt.”

At the close of the competition, Caron expressed his appreciation to the panel.

"On behalf of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, I want to thank our fantastic final round bench, Justice Samuel Alito, Judge Andrew Oldham, and Judge Allison Jones Rushing for being with us today and giving our students this incredible opportunity," said Caron.

The Caruso Law team with Judge Oldham (left center), Justice Alito (center), and Judge Rushing (right center).

Learn more about the law school's moot court competitions at Pepperdine Caruso Law Moot Court