Elon Law students in the Class of 2026 made oral arguments in a fictional federal lawsuit on appeal involving the Fair Labor Standards Act and exceptions for religious organizations.
A 15-year-old’s parents made a Department of Labor complaint when their daughter, acting as a counselor at a religious summer camp, worked past 9 p.m. in violation of labor laws for minors.
The Department of Labor sued the Church of Unity, which is affiliated with the camp, arguing that the church was her employer and had broken child labor rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A federal court dismissed the case, finding that the teen was an employee, but that the church is protected under the ministerial exception and First Amendment.
The government has appealed the case. Now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 15th Circuit: How is employment defined, and under which standard of review? And was the teen a minister?
These questions were at the heart of the fictional case analyzed and argued by 86 first-year students in Elon Law’s 18th Annual Intramural Moot Court Competition, held May 28-29. Members of the Class of 2026 comprised the largest group ever to compete in the spring event. All first-year students were introduced to the case in their Legal Method & Communication course as the basis for graded oral arguments this spring.
Judges and attorneys from the local legal community as well as Elon Law alumni joined faculty members and administrators to hear arguments as volunteer judges. Each student presented two oral arguments, one for appellant and one for appellee, and was scored on preparation, speaking ability, argument structure and responses to judges’ questions.
“Putting it all together, spending all of the time analyzing the case, and that culminating with arguing in front of real-life jurists was a very exciting opportunity. It helped remind us why we’re on this path.”
Elizabeth Gregory L’26
The annual competition and class projects are more than an academic exercise. They’re emblematic of Elon Law’s focus on providing a legal education grounded in practical skills that propel graduates into successful careers.
“Working on an issue for six months is an intense process, but I learned so much about how to research, craft a persuasive legal argument, and then translate that into a conversation,” said Rachel Claffee L’26, who placed first among student advocates in the intramural competition. “This experience solidified my belief that I want to practice law in the courtroom, and it opened my mind to a new setting and skill set that I hadn’t thought was for me. I’m excited to explore that interest going forward.”
“It was really important to be able to accomplish what we did,” echoed Elizabeth Gregory L’26, who placed second in the competition. “If you asked me a year ago if I could write an appellate brief, I think every one of my classmates and I would have said there’s no way. But putting it all together, spending all of the time analyzing the case, and that culminating with arguing it in front of real-life jurists was a very exciting opportunity. It helped remind us why we’re on this path.”
The Top 10 Oral Advocates in the 2025 competition (with ties):
- Rachel Claffee
- Elizabeth Gregory
- Lauren Collins and Cayla James (tie)
- Lindsay Hetzel
- Elizabeth Rowell
- Jennifer Carbajal
- Sierra Watkins and Audra Cote (tie)
- Trey McClenny, Matt Cottrell and Isabel Craige (tie)
- Gavi Taylor
- Gia Gopireddy
Selections for membership on the Moot Court Board will be announced this summer before the board hosts the 16th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition on Oct. 16-18, 2025. Moot Court Board members will also compete in a slate of national moot court competitions during the 2025-26 year.
Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan Woodlief, director of Elon Law’s Moot Court Program, praised the Moot Court Board for its professionalism and hospitality in running the spring competition. The annual event sees the Elon Law community rally to provide a top-notch experience for first-year students and the local legal community, with faculty, staff and senior students volunteering in various roles.
“This year’s competition was the largest ever, with 86 first-year students competing,” Woodlief said. “The level of competition was high, with judges uniformly praising competitors for their preparation, poise and skillful oral arguments. I am proud of the Board and honored to work with them to host our internal competitions and as they compete in events around the country.”
2025 Intramural Moot Court Competition student leadership
- Overall Co-Chairs: Becca Bailey L’25, McKenna Longo L’25 and Ashley Myers L’25
- Judge Co-Chairs: Lillie Kieken L’25, Caroline Lohn L’25, Gabriella Reynolds L’25 and Sarah Ruffin L’25
- Bailiff Co- Chairs: Hanna Riley L’25, Cameron Riordan L’25, Taylor Rockwood L’26 and Anderson Rowe L’25
- Scoring Co-Chairs: Alexis Croce L’25, Madison Gilbert L’25, Kelsey Greene L’25, Adriana Hernandez L’25 and Karrington Wallace L’25
- LMC Oral Argument Coordinators: Landon Eckard L’25 and Saniya Pangare L’25