Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition | St. John's University
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Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition
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Center for Bankruptcy Studies
Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition
About the Duberstein Competition
Jointly sponsored by St. John’s Law and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), the annual Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition is one of the nation’s preeminent moot court competitions. It promotes and recognizes the finest oral and written advocacy on significant issues in bankruptcy practice.
Student teams representing law schools from across the country argue in at least two preliminary rounds on alternating sides, with 16 teams advancing beyond the preliminary rounds. Bankruptcy practitioners judge the preliminary rounds and briefs, and leading appellate and bankruptcy judges preside in the advanced rounds.
Students do not need to have Bankruptcy Law experience to compete and advance, and all competitors receive a certificate of achievement.
The Competition is named for the late Chief Bankruptcy Judge Conrad B. Duberstein, a 1941 graduate of St. John’s Law and an early director of ABI. A leader in bankruptcy education, St. John's Law offers the nation's premier LL.M. in Bankruptcy program. ABI is the largest multidisciplinary membership organization devoted to research and education on insolvency issues.
The American Bankruptcy Institute Endowment Fund presents the following awards to the winners:
$5,000 to the first-place team
$3,000 to the second-place team
$1,500 to the two third-place teams
$1,000 each for Best Oralist and Best Brief
2026 Competition Information
Date
Saturday, February 28, 2026 to Monday, March 2, 2026
Location
Preliminary Rounds: St. John's Law, Queens, NY
Advanced Rounds: Conrad B. Duberstein U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse, Brooklyn, NY
Registration
Any ABA-accredited law school can register for the 2026 Duberstein competition on the ABI website. You can register up to two teams of two or three J.D. students. We limit registration to 50 teams. When we reach that limit, we’ll add schools interested in registering to a waitlist.
The registration fee is $1,295 per team and includes:
Lunch on Saturday, February 28, 2026 and Sunday, March 1, 2026 for competitors and coaches
A reception on Sunday, March 1, 2026 for competitors and coaches
Lunch on Monday, March 2, 2026 for teams that have advanced to the quarter-final rounds
Admission to the Gala Reception on Monday, March 2, 2026 for all competitors (coaches can purchase tickets at a discounted rate)
Registration closed on Monday, November 24, 2025 and the registration fee is now non-refundable.
Competition Rules
2026 Competition Rules
Rule Clarification
Q: If our team includes a section for Pertinent Statutory Provisions, will this section be included in our word count?
A: Neither Rule VIII(a) nor VIII(c) accounts for a section entitled “Statutory Provisions”. Therefore, if you choose to include a section entitled “Statutory Provisions,” this would count towards the overall word count. However, if the statutory provisions are cited under one of the prescribed sections under Rule VIII(a), the overall word count would not be affected.
Team Briefs
To access the team briefs,
visit ABI's Duberstein Competition event page
and activate the button that reads Final Briefs (PDFs).
Competition Problem
2026 Competition Problem
Fact Pattern Clarification
Q: On the topic of the disclosure statement and ballot: The facts don’t expressly indicate that the statement and ballot were mailed out to the tort claimants; should we assume that since there was a report of 20% ballots returned, that proper service through the mail did occur?
A: Consistent with the requirements of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the solicitation package was mailed out to all known parties in interest, including all known tort claimants. The Debtor also published a tombstone notice in three national print and digital newspapers providing basic information about the bankruptcy case, explaining the voting process and the opt-out release, and featuring a QR code that could be used to review the disclosure statement, the Plan and the ballot form. No challenge to the sufficiency of service was made in the lower courts.
If you have questions about the Competition at that point, please email us at
[email protected]
Past Competitions
Here is an archive of past Duberstein Competition results.
Competition Rules
2025 Competition Rules
Competition Problem
2025 Competition Problem
Correction
There is a typo on page 8 of the Competition Problem. The last sentence of the second paragraph should read: “In need of money, and notwithstanding the fact that he had previously told Doolin’ Dalton that he’d come back to work for the company only after 'hell freezes over,' the Debtor was rehired by Doolin Dalton in June 2022."
Competition Results
First Place
Texas A&M School of Law (24)
Second Place
Fordham University School of Law (32)
Semifinalists
UC Law San Francisco (29)
University of Kansas School of Law (30)
Quarterfinalists
Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (1)
Lincoln Memorial university Duncan School of Law (7)
University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (14)
University of Idaho College of Law, Team 2 (34)
Best Brief
Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law (7)
Outstanding Briefs
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 2 (17)
Texas A&M School of Law (24)
Mississippi College of Law, Team 1 (25)
Texas Tech University School of Law (36)
Best Advocate
Marissa Wakhu, Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Team 2 (21)
Outstanding Advocates
Haley Barker, University of Kentucky College of Law, Team 1 (37)
Alex Buchler, University of Cincinnati College of Law (45)
Brendan Fowler, Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (1)
Alexandra Nabity, University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Team 1 (50)
Competition Photo Gallery
View the
2025 Competition photo gallery
Competition Problem
2024 Competition Problem
Compeition Results
First Place
University of Texas School of Law Team 1 (32)
Second Place
Florida International University College of Law (28)
Semifinalists
Fordham University School of Law (9)
University of Memphis-Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Team 2 (48)
Quarterfinalists
Baylor University School of Law Team 1 (4)
Chicago-Kent College of Law (20)
Hofstra University—Maurice A. Deane School of Law Hempstead (21)
University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (33)
Best Brief
Florida International University College of Law
(28)
Outstanding Briefs
Chicago Kent College of Law
(20)
Fordham University School of Law
(9)
Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
(6)
University of Texas School of Law Team 1
(32)
Best Advocate
Tansy Nicholson
Baylor University School of Law – Team 1 (4)
Outstanding Advocates
Cateri Christinis
Duquesne University School of Law (38)
Polina DeClue
SMU Dedman School of Law – Team 2 (37)
John Federico
Hofstra University – Maurice A. Dean School of Law (21)
Katelyn Garciga
Florida International University College of Law (28)
Competition Results
First Place
Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (2)
Second Place
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (7)
Semifinalists
University of Miami School of Law, Team 1 (3)
Fordham University School of Law (5)
Quarterfinalists
Emory University School of Law, Team 2 (22)
Texas A&M School of Law (42)
University of Illinois College of Law (13)
University of Kansas School of Law (6)
Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (1)
Best Brief
University of Miami School of Law, Team 1
(3)
Outstanding Briefs
Baylor University School of Law, Team 1
(1)
Emory University School of Law, Team 2
(22)
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1
(7)
University of Illinois College of Law
(13)
Best Advocate
Trent Mansfield, Samford University (23)
Outstanding Advocacy
Tansy Ackerman, Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (2)
Nathaniel Oehl, University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (7)
Garner Vance, University of Mississippi School of Law (11)
Macey Weeks, Samford University (23)
Competition Results
First Place
Howard University School of Law (37)
Second Place
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (12)
Semifinalists
Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (6)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Team 2 (43)
Quarterfinalists
Baylor University School of Law, Team 2 (7)
Michigan State University College of Law (2)
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (10)
University of Illinois College of Law (8)
Best Brief
University of Illinois College of Law (8)
Outstanding Briefs
Michigan State University College of Law (2)
Baylor University School of Law, Team 1 (6)
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (12)
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law (39)
Best Advocate
Emony Robertson, Howard University School of Law (37)
Outstanding Advocacy
John Conover, University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (15)
Nancy Eriksen, Stetson University College of Law (29)
Jessica Munoz Nunez, University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
Shelby Savage, University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (10)
Competition Results
First Place
Baylor University School of Law
Second Place
University of Texas School of Law
Third Place
Emory University School of Law
Mississippi College School of Law
Best Brief
Emory University School of Law
Outstanding Briefs
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Howard University School of Law
Michigan State University College of Law
University of Michigan Law School
University of Texas School of Law
Best Advocate
Abigail Emery, University of Texas School of Law
Outstanding Advocacy
Erin McManus, Mississippi College School of Law
Ronald Espinal, Stetson University College of Law
Brenna Scully, University of California at Los Angeles School of Law
Leandra Lopez, University of Miami School of Law
Competition Results
First Place
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (12)
Second Place
Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)
Finalists
University of Notre Dame Law School (55)
University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (8)
Semifinalists
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (27)
Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)
University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 2 (26)
University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (12)
University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 1 (25)
Chicago-Kent College of Law (15)
University of Notre Dame Law School (55)
Emory University School of Law, Team 1 (36)
New York University School of Law (44)
University of Michigan Law School (54)
Baylor Law School, Team 2 (6)
University of Wisconsin Madison Law School (14)
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Team 2 (17)
University of Texas School of Law, Team 1 (8)
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 2 (28)
Best Brief
Baylor Law School, Team 1 (5)
Outstanding Briefs
Emory University School of Law, Team 1 (36)
University of Alabama School of Law, Team 1 (27)
University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 2 (26)
University of Notre Dame Law School (55)
Best Advocate
Destiney Thompson, Campbell University School of Law (2)
Outstanding Advocacy
Cayton Chrisman, Emory University School of Law, Team 2 (37)
Taylor McCullough, Baylor Law School, Team 2 (6)
Clayton Schmitt, University of Miami School of Law, Team 2 (4)
Jack Schultz, University of Mississippi School of Law, Team 1 (25)
Competition Results
First Place
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Second Place
University of Miami School of Law
Third Place
University of Mississippi School of Law
University of Texas School of Law
Best Brief
Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law
Outstanding Briefs
Stetson University College of Law
The University of Texas School of Law
University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
University of Michigan Law School
Best Advocate
Kathryn Trent, Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of Law
Outstanding Advocacy
Grant Krag. Mississippi College School of Law
Stephen Kish, University of Nevada Law Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law
Nathan Simpson, The University of Mississippi School of Law
Brenton Thompson, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
Competition Results
First Place
University of Alabama School of Law (14)
Second Place
The George Washington University Law School (50)
Finalists
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
​University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10)
Semifinalists
Baylor Law School - Team 1 (8)
Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
Florida Coastal School of Law - Team (38)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
Suffolk University Law School (1)
The George Washington University Law School (50)
The University of Mississippi School of Law (16)
UCLA School of Law (24)
University of Alabama School of Law (14)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (18)
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (35)
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 2 (36)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (11)
University of Washington School of Law (46)
Wayne State University Law School - Team 2 (21)
Best Brief
UCLA School of Law (24)
Outstanding Briefs
Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (3)
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 2 (36)
​University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (10)
Best Advocate
Ashley Venegas – Florida Coastal School of Law - Team (38)
Outstanding Advocacy
David Crampton  – Baylor Law School - Team 1 (8)
Kevin Miller – Baylor Law School - Team 2 (9)
Martin Rowe – Brooklyn Law School (27)
​Stefan Caris Love – UCLA School of Law (24)
Competition Results
First Place
University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
Second Place
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)
Third Place
Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38)
SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)
Finalists
University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)
Semifinalists
Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38)
Georgia State University College of Law (1)
Mississippi College School of Law - Team 1 (15)
Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (16)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (5)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)
Suffolk University Law School (17)
Texas Tech University School of Law (45)
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law - Team 1 (25)
University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
University of Kentucky College of Law (44)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 2 (3)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 1 (8)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (9)
William and Mary Law School (36)
Best Brief
Baylor Law School - Team 2 (38)
Outstanding Briefs
University of Florida Levin College of Law - Team 1 (10)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (2)
University of Texas at Austin School of Law - Team 2 (9)
Wayne State University School of Law (27)
Best Advocate
Alexander P. Cohen – SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (5)
Outstanding Advocacy
Nekketta Archie – Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law - Team 1 (7)
Barret Armbruster – SMU Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (6)
Morgan Keup – Mississippi College School of Law - Team 1 (15)
Aditya Patel – Emory University School of Law - Team 1 (12)
Competition Results
First Place
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 2 (5)
Second Place
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law Team 1 (51)
Third Place
Mississippi College School of Law Team 2 (2)
University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (17)
Finalists
Baylor University School of Law - Team 1 (30)
Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (2)
Stetson University College of Law (7)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (5)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (8)
University of Texas School of Law – Team 1 (16)
University of Texas School of Law – Team 2 (17)
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (51)
Semifinalists
Baylor University Law School - Team 1 (30)
Baylor University Law School - Team 2 (31)
Emory University School of Law - Team 2 (22)
Georgetown University Law Center (48)
Mississippi College School of Law - Team 2 (2)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 1 (4)
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law - Team 2 (5)
Stetson University College of Law (7)
Texas Tech University School of Law (44)
The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law - Team 1 (20)
University of Idaho College of Law - Team 1 (34)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 1 (8)
University of Miami School of Law - Team 2 (9)
University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law - Team 1 (51)
University of Texas School of Law - Team 1 (16)
University of Texas School of Law - Team 2 (17)
Best Brief
University of Idaho, Team 1 (34)
Outstanding Briefs
Baylor University Team 2 (31)
Mississippi College of Law Team 2 (2)
University of Denver Sturm College of Law (32)
University of Nevada William S.  Boyd School of Law Team 1 (51)
Best Advocate
Hannah  Roblyer - University of Texas School of Law Team 2 (17)
Outstanding Advocacy
Barret Armbruster - Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Team 1 (4)
Daniel Hatoum - University of Texas School of Law (17)
Forrest S. Jackson - University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law (51)
Angela Oliver - Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (5)
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