STU Moot Court Blog
The St. Thomas Moot Court Board has decided to implement “Moot Court Mondays”. Our members are to research recent Florida Supreme Court opinions or Florida District Courts of Appeal opinions and pick an opinion they are interested in writing about. The blog post is brief but comprehensive to help practitioners have notice/knowledge about the recent decisions on issues that may be useful for their cases.
Home Court Advantage: The Potential Rise of State Court Favoritism in NCAA Eligibility Litigation
In the prominent world of Name, Image, and Likeness (“NIL”) in collegiate athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) has been involved in their fair share of litigation surrounding athletes requesting additional years of eligibility. The most...
Florida Court Reaffirms Strict Gatekeeping Standard for Punitive Damages
Motor vehicle negligence cases account for a large portion of personal injury litigation, yet punitive damages are rarely permitted unless there is sufficient supporting evidence.[i] Florida law imposes strict procedural and evidentiary requirements; under Florida...
Moot Court Resume 2026
Moot Court Resume St. Thomas University College of Law Moot Court Honor Society 16401 N.W. 37th Ave. | Miami Gardens, Florida 33054 Tel: 305.628.6536 Email: mootcourt@stu.edu Moot Court Competitions / Honors/ Awards Notable Honors/Awards Best Brief Award – 2025 –...
Authenticating AI Evidence in Florida: Closing the Gaps
Authentication is the foundation of admissibility. Under § 90.901, evidence must be authenticated or identified before it can be admitted, a requirement satisfied by showing enough proof that the evidence is what the proponent claims it to be.[i] In Florida, this...
Prospective Plaintiff Denied Pursuant to Florida Pre-Suit Requirements Under Chapter 766 in Recent District Court of Appeals Decision
One detail missed, several lives affected. Despite the harm that can result from medical misconduct, it is not as easy for prospective plaintiffs to file a medical negligence claim. First, a claimant must complete an adequate pre-suit investigation prior to filing the...
Upon Deaf Ears: Understanding 3M’s Invocation of the Government-Contractor Defense
3M corporation, long a staple of American industry, has recently been rocked by a string of lawsuits related to defective earplugs it sold to the U.S. military in what has been termed the largest multi-district litigation in U.S. history.1 As of the writing of this...
To Die in A Pastor’s Arms
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000, provides that no substantial burden can be imposes on the religious exercise of a person, including state prisoners, unless the imposed burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental...
Google v. Oracle Ruling Could Change Software Development Forever
Android, built on Java software code, provides power to a majority of the mobile devices in the world. Android was developed and run by technology super house Google. Google states that they used elements of this Java code for operations. This methodology, originally...
When the Court gives you the Lemon Test, Make a Lemon Aid?
The Establishment Clause is a clause that comes from the First Amendment of the United States. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom...
COVID-19 is no Longer a Viable Claim for Avoiding Jail Time in Florida Without the Use of Substantial Evidence of Underlying Medical Conditions.
Covid has brought about many changes in the United States legal system, specifically in the context of incarceration. In this recent opinion the Defendant, Mr. Jones (“Mr. Jones”), was convicted pursuant to Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet, Florida Rule of Criminal...
Juvenile Representation is Changing; Time to Shepardize the Law
On February 3, 2022 the Supreme Court of Florida approved proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure; and it seems more change is coming from the legislature. The new trend is showing a broadening of rights and protections for juveniles. Among the...
Alumni Newsletter
We welcome every one of you to help us as we plan future events and mentoring opportunities for our members. Your support will be greatly appreciated by every one of us. After all, we are all stronger when we work together, and we cannot do this without you.