Testimonials
The ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law is a fast growing platform that prepares budding trade lawyers for enviable careers in trade law; I am also convinced that it helps develop technical legal capacity across the globe. First, as the EU Trade Commissioner, and then during my tenure as the Director General of the WTO, I always supported this international student competition, in particular, I enjoyed, when I was able to attend, the Final Rounds held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva. But I was always concerned that no African universities were represented among some one hundred schools from around the world that field teams in the competition. I was determined to help ELSA do something about this. So I was extremely gratified that a financial contribution from the WTO as well as technical support from Secretariat staff ensured that ELSA was able to launch in 2013-2014 the first regional round of this ELSA competition in Africa. I am pleased to see that the WTO support for this endeavour continues and that this year will be the third consecutive regional round held in Africa, with the largest number of schools participating to date. Now, like hundreds of students from other continents, African students are able to experience this unique opportunity to explore the world of WTO dispute settlement. Indeed, I expect that some of them will soon be arguing cases on behalf of their governments or serving as Secretariat staff assisting panels and the Appellate Body. Despite this great success, however, we must not be complacent. Continued support for ELSA is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the competition in all regions and to make it accessible to more and more students from developed and developing countries, as well as from LDCs. Therefore, support for ELSA allows us to ensure that tomorrow’s law graduates are prepared for the critical task of supporting the international trading system.
Pascal Lamy
Former Director General of the WTO
The WTO/ ELSA Moot competition has grown in magnitude every year and I was proud to see it become universal in 2012 with strong support from the WTO. It is an excellent opportunity to expose young lawyers from all over the world to trade law, the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, and to the different perspectives of their legal colleagues. I am particularly pleased to see the increase in participation from developing countries including from Africa. I continue to be personally involved in this initiative as I see it as an excellent training ground for the next generation of trade lawyers.
Arancha Gonzalez
Executive Director International Trade Center
Africa needs to take its proper place in the multilateral dispute settlement system. That depends on African trade lawyers being able to participate fully and effectively in trade disputes. ELSA is a key training ground to develop and groom African talent. ELSA is where the trade lawyers of tomorrow prove their mettle and can be identified. I warmly recommend your support of the African Round and ask you to contribute to this important competition in WTO law.
David Unterhalter
Former Appellate Body Member of WTO Appellate Body from South Africa
Participating in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law is a unique challenge and fantastic experience for participants and supporters. As Professor at the University of Geneva and member of the Legal Affairs Division of the WTO, I have been supporting this international competition for several years. I take great pleasure in meeting, on different occasions and across the world, former moot participants who have now become practicing WTO experts. Participants in the ELSA activities, and in particular in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law, are privileged to be able to meet colleagues from all over the world, with whom they will keep in contact well into the future. They also have a unique opportunity to practice international advocacy and litigation during the moot competition, and many go on to dream careers in international trade law or economics as academics, private practitioners, or government officials. Indeed, the WTO and several of its Members have recruited interns and talented young trade professionals who became interested in the WTO through their participation in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law. For the WTO, having participated in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law, is always a “plus” for candidates for an internship or a regular lawyer job! In a certain way, the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law is an important capacity building tool for students, Members and the WTO itself. This is why the WTO Secretariat supports the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law – by providing experts to serve as panelists, and by hosting the final round at the WTO premises in Geneva –and why WTO DG Roberto Azevêdo has become Patron of this international competition.
Gabrielle Marceau
Counselor in the Legal Affairs Division of the WTO and Professor at Geneva University
Van Bael & Bellis has been sponsoring the EMC2 steadily for a number of years. Our continued commitment to fostering the professional and personal development of budding practitioners is one of the reasons we put so much effort into the competition. We believe that participation in the EMC2 provides participants with the perfect preparation for a future career in international trade law as confirmed by the performance of those former participants who have subsequently joined the Van Bael & Bellis team. Beyond this, we have always appreciated the enthusiasm and professionalism of the ELSA and EMC2 coordinating teams.
Van Bael & Bellis
Law Firm, Platinum sponsor of the competition
King & Spalding salutes ELSA for coordinating a successful ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO law.
EMC2 provides the optimal platform for students to establish networks in the international trade community, and serves as a recruiting forum as firms build out trade law capacity in global markets.
EMC2 provides the optimal platform for students to establish networks in the international trade community, and serves as a recruiting forum as firms build out trade law capacity in global markets.
King & Spalding
Law Firm, Platinum sponsor of the competition
The EMC² replicates almost exactly the demanding and challenging, but most importantly rewarding, environment of arguing in a critical WTO dispute before a Panel. You will learn more about persuasion and teamwork, than you will in any classroom. Armed with these skills, doors will open to careers you never dreamt possible across the world of International Economic Law.
Kieran John McCarthy
Trainee, Sidley Austin
Having coached a number of teams participating in the ELSA EMC2 WTO Law Moot Court Competition I can confidently say that it is one of the best opportunities for students to further develop their professional skills. The EMC2 cases are written by renowned scholars and practitioners in the field of WTO Law, enabling students to engage with unsettled issues in a rapidly evolving field of law. As a coach, it was incredibly rewarding to start working with a team of talented students at the beginning of the competition and to see them develop into a team of well-trained and dedicated legal professionals ready for a career in (international trade) law.
Dylan Geraets
PhD Candidate, Institute for International Law / Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies
The ELSA WTO law moot court was a fantastic experience which allowed me to develop a number of skills including legal research, legal writing and oral pleading skills. Working as part of a team on real WTO issues was challenging and rewarding on both a professional and a personal level. Not only that but the regional and international oral rounds allowed me to meet a number of practising WTO lawyers and law students, which has had a direct influence on my career in international trade law.
Stephanie Cunningham
Associate, Sidley Austin
The competition afforded me the privilege of meeting and networking with people from around the globe. My fondest memories of the competition are undoubtedly the cherished moments spent with team-mates, friends and ELSA organizers. These cherished moments will remain etched in my memory. I would, without hesitation, encourage anyone interested in WTO law to participate in the ELSA WTO Moot Court competition, not only because of the impact it can have on your life professionally, but also, because of the opportunity it presents to forge lasting friendships with great people.
Claude Chase
Dispute Settlement Lawyer, WTO