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Vighnesh Mehrotra '28 Wins Langfan Moot Court Competition
The final round of the 2026 Langfan Family First-Year Moot Court Competition was held on April 18, 2026. Vighnesh Mehrotra ’28, arguing for the petitioner, defeated Sarah Willis ’28, arguing for the respondent, in the fictional case of Fief v. United States.
The case was inspired by the Fifth Circuit case Alvarez v. City of Brownsville, considering whether the Fifth Amendment requires prosecutors to disclose material exculpatory evidence to a criminal defendant prior to the defendant’s acceptance of a guilty plea.
The Hon. Embry Kidd and the other panelists share feedback with the finalists at the conclusion of the competition.
The Hon. Stephanie Thacker asks questions during competitors’ oral arguments.
The Hon. Raymond J. Lohier asks questions to the competitors while serving as Chief Justice of the Langfan Moot Court Judges Panel.
Moot Court Chancellor, Paige Hoss ‘27, congratulates the 2026 Langfan Champion, Vighnesh Mehrotra ‘28.
2026 Moot Court Board with the Langfan Competition Judges.
The 2026 Langfan Finalists celebrate at the conclusion of the final round arguments.
Sarah Willis ’28, 2026 Langfan Moot Court Finalist.
Vighnesh Mehrotra ’28, 2026 Langfan Moot Court Champion.
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“The Langfan Family First-Year Moot Court Competition is one of the most exciting events of the year because it is the first time that 1L students showcase their oral advocacy skills,” said Paige Hoss ’27, Chancellor of the Moot Court Board. “More than 60 first-year students competed this year and I was blown away by the talent, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship shown across the 1L class. I had the pleasure of judging both finalists in the early rounds of the competition, and I was so impressed to see how they continually developed their advocacy skills as they advanced.”
The final round of the competition was judged by a distinguished panel:
- Raymond J. Lohier, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- Stephanie Thacker, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Embry Kidd, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Derrick Watson, United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
“It was an incredible weekend jam-packed with opportunities for our students to get to know judges from all over the country. It was truly a pleasure to host our distinguished guests, and we hope they will return to Cornell Law School in the near future,” said Paige Hoss ’27, Chancellor of the Moot Court Board.