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Four University of Missouri School of Law students represented Mizzou on the international stage this summer in the 2026 Nuremberg Moot Court Competition in Nuremberg, Germany. Following a written competition, the team advanced to the oral rounds as one of just 40 teams worldwide, earning the opportunity to argue complex issues of international criminal law.
The Nuremberg Moot Court Competition challenges law students to research complex issues of international criminal law, prepare written memorials and present oral arguments before an international panel of judges. The experience provided invaluable training in legal research, appellate advocacy and international law while allowing the students to compete alongside some of the world’s leading law schools.
The team’s participation was made possible through the support of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic. Team members Autumn Duncan, Lucy Brooner, Cole Miller and Tommy Briner spent months preparing under the guidance of retired Veterans Clinic Director Angela Drake and current Veterans Clinic Director Brent Filbert. Both Drake and Filbert are experienced appellate advocates, and Filbert is widely recognized for his expertise in military law and law of armed conflict. Their combined experience provided the team with valuable mentorship in analyzing complex legal issues. The student’s preparation included extensive legal research, written advocacy and oral argument in advance of the international competition.
Brooner and Briner are student advocates with the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, making the competition a natural extension of the advocacy experience they gain through the Clinic while representing Mizzou Law on an international stage.
“The Tigers’ outstanding written briefs secured the invitation to the competition,” Drake said. “Competing in Nuremberg was a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for Autumn, Lucy, Cole and Tommy, and it was a privilege and an honor to coach them throughout the process.”
Filbert said the competition exemplified the type of experiential learning Mizzou Law strives to provide. “Watching these students dedicate months to mastering a complex area of international law and then represent Mizzou on a global stage was incredibly rewarding,” Filbert said. “They demonstrated professionalism, resilience and exceptional advocacy throughout the competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they represented Mizzou Law and the Veterans Clinic.”
Briner, said, “The oral arguments were intense, but we were proud of how we performed and felt our preparation paid off. It was a tremendous opportunity to learn a new area of law and gain experience presenting in a demanding environment.”
“I absolutely loved being able to compete and represent Mizzou in the Nuremberg Moot Court Competition,” Miller said. “Professionally, I don’t think this opportunity could be beat. I was able to practice my oral advocacy skills in a new environment, learn an entirely new area of law and connect with students from around the world.”
Brooner said the experience extended beyond the courtroom. “It was interesting to learn about the historic trials and argue in the same courthouse,” she said. “We enjoyed meeting teams from around the world and exploring the city in our free time. It was such a unique opportunity.”
Duncan emphasized that Competing at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice was a surreal experience. “The entirety of competition was filled with such influential mentorship from our coaches, my teammates, the judges, and other teams competing in the moot court”.
For the Mizzou Law students, the competition represented months of preparation, collaboration, and the opportunity to develop the skills they carry into practice. That preparation reflects the hands-on experience students gain through their work with the Veterans Clinic, where they develop practical legal skills under the guidance of experienced attorneys. Opportunities like the Nuremburg Moot Court Competition allow students to build on that foundation, strengthening their skills as they prepare to enter the legal profession. The Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic was honored to sponsor the team and celebrate the accomplishments of these outstanding students as they represented Mizzou among only three North American teams selected to compete in this international competition.