Milligan students finished second at the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge and received two additional honors at Tennessee’s 56th Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL). TISL is a forum for students to learn how Tennessee’s state government works.
Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge (AMC3)
The AMC3 is a program where Tennessee undergraduates argue appellate cases with their peers. Colleges prepare a brief and send legal teams of undergraduates to argue a current legal issue. This year they argued the case Steele v. Ibarra.
Alex Hayashi and Cole Fox argued as petitioners for Milligan, while Sabrina Espelet and Bailey McCoy argued as lawyers for the Attorney General of the United States. After advancing in the preliminary and semi-final rounds, they were defeated by Carson-Newman in the final round, which was held in the Nashville Supreme Court Building. It was the fourth time in five years that the Milligan delegation made it into the final round.
“I learned so much about immigration law and what it takes to build a strong argument,” said Espelet. “I gained so much confidence in my capabilities, and our hard work paid off. It was one of the best experiences of my life!”
Espelet won the TISL award for Best Respondent Lawyer.
The Tennessee Intercollegiate Supreme Court presides and asks the lawyers questions, assisted by court-appointed magistrates in the preliminary rounds. On Nov. 23, the Court delivered its decision, and the present award was given to the best teams. Ezra Fowler was part of the Tennessee Intercollegiate Supreme Court.
“I got to hear students present a case and practice being lawyers,” said Fowler. “It showed me how valuable justice and fairness are in government while also reminding me that everyone is human.”
TISL General Assembly
TISL’s Senate and House of Representatives, first convened in 1966, meet in the legislative chambers of the State Capitol from Nov. 20-23. Each school has one senator. Milligan’s delegation split that role between Nia Ailshie and Casey Wiggins, who also served as chair and vice chair for their respective committees.
“While serving as a state senator at TISL, I presented, took questions on, and worked hard to pass our delegation’s bills regarding universal preschool, housing reform, and sexual healthcare in rural areas,” said Ailshie. “Working with young people who have similar interests in state government was an invaluable experience because we formed friendships that will last a lifetime.”
The House has 99 members, apportioned according to enrollment; Milligan had one seat. Every delegate is also expected to write and introduce at least one bill for consideration; Milligan wrote seven, and four were passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“We really had to fight for our bills to be considered on the floor this year, and that made it all the more worth it when they passed,” said Wiggins.
Delia Ard won the TISL award for Outstanding Representative.
“TISL was such an amazing experience for me,” Ard said. “I got to connect with other people in my major and also enjoy networking with people from other colleges. I had such a fun time all while practicing public speaking skills and being immersed in the political process.”
TISL also had a lobbying program, adding another aspect to the TISL General Assembly. Lobbyists from different associations attempted to influence student senators and representatives as they debated bills.
Media
TISL Media covered all TISL events to inform and report on what was happening, including what bills were passed or rejected. The media team was split into TISL Times, a newsletter, the social media team, and photographers.
As Milligan’s only media student, I had the opportunity to be part of both the social media team and the photographers, and it was an experience I didn’t want to miss. I was able to take pictures in the House as well as the courtroom and even filmed a reel with Tre Hargett, Tennessee’s Secretary of State.
TISL’s 56th session ended Nov. 23, bringing this year’s competitions and assemblies to a close.
Cover Photo: Group Photo of Milligan’s Appellate Moot Court delegation (by Emily Haas) Photo 2: Cole Fox presenting his argument in the final round of Appellate Moot Court Competition (by Emily Haas). Photo 3: TISL house of representatives from above (by Emily Haas)
Photo 4: Delia Ard won the award for outstanding representative (by Emily Haas)
