Pepperdine Caruso Law Vincent S. Dalsimer Competition 2023

The final round of the Pepperdine Caruso Law Moot Court Board's 49th Annual Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition was held on Friday, February 17. The judges presiding over the final round were Judge Curtis Kin and Judge Gregory Alarcón of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and Justice April Farris of the First Court of Appeals of Houston, Texas.

The competition problem addressed principles of criminal law, including a prosecutor’s Brady obligations and the scope of the federal aggravated identity theft statute. In the final round Christine Lindley and Mark Zaim argued for the petitioner; and Jonathan Gereige and Katya Keklikian argued for respondent. 

Following the preliminary rounds, the advocates were awarded Best Advocate awards. Lindley was honored as the Third-Best Oral Advocate and will be awarded $500. Zaim won Second-Best Oral Advocate and will be awarded $1,000. Keklikian won Best Oral Advocate and will receive a cash prize of $2,000. In addition, $1,000 was  awarded to the team honored with the Best Brief of the competition, which was Lindley and Zaim.

After much deliberation from the final round bench, the winners of the 2023 Vincent S. Dalsimer Competition were determined to be Gereige and Keklikian. They will each receive a $1,000 cash prize for their performances. As the finalists, Lindley and Zaim will also receive $250 each for competing in the final round of the competition.

Congratulations to all four advocates who showcased their excellent oral advocacy skills throughout the competition.