The 37th Annual Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC) at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University once again brought together hundreds of law students, legal scholars, and practicing attorneys for one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious interschool moot court competitions. This year, 48 schools from across the country participated, with Lewis & Clark Law School emerging as the 2025 NELMCC Champions.

Since its founding in 1989, NELMCC has established a national standard for excellence in environmental moot court competitions. Each year, competitors tackle a complex, timely legal problem that reflects pressing issues in environmental law. The 2025 NELMCC Problem, authored by Elisabeth Haub School of Law Professor Todd Ommen, presented competitors with a unique, timely, and complex case. The compelling proposed scenario included examining the Clean Water Act, standing, the EPA’s Water Transfers Rule, existing case law, and more. In addition to the problem itself, the bench memo, which serves to help guide volunteer judges through the argument and competition was authored by Haub Law Environmental Law Fellow Daniel Dorough.

Prior to the competition, competitors research and analyze the issues presented in the environmental problem before writing persuasive arguments for one party (either the government, a public interest group, or a member of the regulated industry) advocating how the issues should be resolved. Competitors are then required to argue the issues orally for all three parties during the three-day competition, rounding out the rigorous academic experience.

Each year, Haub Law students have the honor and responsibility of leading the competition; this year, Haub Law student Francesca Gugino served as Chair. She was supported by a Haub Law student team and a group of Bailiff volunteers, while Assistant Director of Pace | Haub Environmental Law, Lorraine Rubich, oversaw the competition’s successful delivery. "NELMCC was made possible because of the support of so many - from Haub Law faculty and staff, to the NELMCC student board, along with all of the student representatives and volunteers," said 2024–2025 NELMCC Chair Francesca Gugino. "The tireless support, dedication of time, and commitment to environmental excellence of all involved is what makes this competition possible and does not go unnoticed."

“We look forward to holding this prominent competition each year,” said Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs and Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law. “The student competitors prepare for months in advance for this rigorous academic exercise, as does our support team at Haub Law. Additionally, many of our judges include past competitors and Haub Law alumni who have been returning as volunteers for over 20 years. I am confident that there is no other competition like NELMCC, which brings along with it a dynamic energy and passion for the intricacies involved in environmental law.”

I am confident that there is no other competition like NELMCC, which brings along with it a dynamic energy and passion for the intricacies involved in environmental law.

Over the course of the three-day competition, participants, coaches, and judges had opportunities to network and engage in broader discussions on environmental law. An environmental career session was hosted by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and a CLE was hosted by Sive, Paget & Riesel. Haub Law also hosted a White Plains environmental alumni reception to coincide with the competition, allowing alumni who return for the competition each year to reconnect. Additionally, this year, NELMCC served as the platform to award the Nicholas Robinson Award for Distinguished Environmental Achievement to Haub Law alumni Peter Casper ’01. Created in honor of Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, founder of the Law School's environmental law program, who has made outstanding contributions in the field of environmental law both in the U.S. and abroad since 1969, the Robinson Award was established in 2005 to recognize alumni of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University who have made significant contributions to environmental law.

This year, the final round was presided by three judges: the Hon. Malachy E. Mannion, US District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Hon. Joseph A. Marutollo, United States Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of New York, and the Hon. Sarah A. L. Merriam, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, CT. After the final round, the esteemed judges provided invaluable feedback to all teams, reinforcing NELMCC’s commitment to prepare students for real-world environmental litigation and advocacy.

The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition is grateful to the organizations and people whose generous financial support help make the event possible. This year, we were pleased to have the following major supporters: The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) and AlterEcho.

Finalists and Award Winners

The finalist teams for the 2025 NELMCC were:

• Lewis & Clark Law School
• Louisiana State University, Paul M. Herbert Law Center
• University of California, Davis School of Law

At the end of the competition, the following individuals and teams were recognized for their outstanding performances:

• David Sive Award for Best Brief Overall: Berkeley School of Law
• Best Oralist: Karrecia Crawley, Team 25, Drake University Law School

Members of the Christian Law Students Association, Jewish Law Students Association, and the Muslim Law Students Association at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University came together on February 24, 2025, to break bread and build bridges at an Interfaith Luncheon held on campus. The event, organized by Professor Leslie Garfield Tenzer through a grant from the Academic Engagement Network, was a testament to the law school's commitment to diversity and inclusivity, creating a space where students could engage in meaningful conversations about their shared values and distinct traditions.

“The Interfaith Luncheon was a unique opportunity for students of different faiths to connect, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect,” said Professor Tenzer, who is the faculty advisor to JLSA, and sparked the idea for the collaborative event. “It was truly special seeing students, faculty, staff, and religious leaders from all walks of life find common ground in a social setting free from stigma. It’s this kind of openness and community spirit that makes Haub Law the unique place it is.”

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The event began with invocations from esteemed religious leaders: Father Tom Byrne, Imam Shaffieq Chase and Rabbi David Marcus, each offering words of wisdom and encouragement for interfaith cooperation. Their messages set the tone for a gathering rooted in understanding and collaboration. Adding to the spirit of unity, the presidents of the three participating student organizations—Tia Hodroj of the Muslim Law Students Association, Emily Nobles of the Christian Law Students Association, and Evelina Safanova of the Jewish Law Students Association—gave brief remarks promoting togetherness and religious tolerance on campus. Their words served as a powerful reminder that law school is not only about academic growth, but also about building bridges between different communities, ensuring that future legal professionals are equipped to advocate for a more just and understanding society.

“It was truly special seeing students, faculty, staff, and religious leaders from all walks of life find common ground in a social setting free from stigma." - Professor Leslie Garfield Tenzer

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Throughout the luncheon, the 40+ students in attendance engaged in thoughtful discussions, building connections that transcended religious boundaries. By coming together in this way, students strengthened their sense of community and reinforced the importance of inclusivity in the legal profession. This event exemplified how law students can lead by example, embracing diversity as a cornerstone of justice and equity.

The Law School aims to develop additional collaborative programming for its interfaith community, focusing on topics of mutually-shared interest, such as how to navigate religious beliefs and practices in a work place setting -- a topic of particular interest to students they prepare to embark on careers in law practice.

Professor of Criminal Justice and Security Cathryn Lavery (PhD’s) podcast, Crimes, Coffee, and Consequences, recently featured an episode entitled “Intelligence-Led Policing,” in which she delved into the world of intelligence-led policing (ILP) with two distinguished experts in the field: David T. Mulcahy and James McMorrow.

This episode explored how intelligence-led approaches shape modern criminal justice strategies, from predictive analytics to proactive crime prevention. Mulcahy, an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Pace and supervisory officer at United States Probation for the Southern District of New York, shared his insights on how data-driven strategies enhance law enforcement effectiveness. McMorrow, founder of McMorrow Investigations and Consulting, brought his extensive investigative experience to the conversation, discussing how ILP is applied in real-world policing and private-sector investigations.

It is one of many engaging episodes on Lavery’s podcast, available on Spotify and other major streaming platforms, through which she blends in-depth analysis and compelling storytelling alongside expert guests—from law enforcement professionals and legal scholars to policymakers and activists. Whether discussing notorious criminal cases, emerging trends in law enforcement, or the consequences of crime on society, in Crimes, Coffee, and Consequences, Lavery dives into the complexities of the criminal justice system, exploring high-profile cases, criminal behavior, and policy implications.

Listen to the “Intelligence-Led Policing” episode on Spotify.

New online program to prepare workforce for high-demand telecommunications careers

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Pace University and Verizon are launching a new online, no-cost, self-paced training program designed to educate the next generation of telecommunications technicians through a $700,000 workforce development grant. This initiative addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field while offering flexible training opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the telecommunications industry.

“We are excited to partner with Pace University to provide this invaluable training opportunity,” said Donna Epps, Verizon’s Chief Responsible Business Officer. “Today’s digital economy requires that individuals have the skills and confidence to be prepared for our rapidly changing workforce. Verizon is committed to helping individuals build those skills and unlock that confidence to turn career ambitions into reality.”

With telecommunications infrastructure rapidly expanding, the need for highly trained technicians has never been greater. The partnership and grant support the creation of a comprehensive and accessible training program, equipping students with the essential technical and human skills needed to excel in technician roles in the telecommunications industry.

Designed for flexibility, the program’s online, self-paced format allows students to learn on their own schedules while balancing work, family, and other commitments. Interactive modules and digital media instruction will offer hands-on learning experiences, ensuring participants gain the practical knowledge needed for success in the technician field.

Pace University’s innovative approach to workforce training will not only help bridge the telecommunications skills gap but also serve as a scalable model for addressing critical industry needs.

“We are thrilled to be the recipient of this generous grant and look forward to collaborating with Verizon,” said Shawn O'Riley, Vice President of Professional Education, Interdisciplinary and Special Programs at Pace University. “This program is an exciting step forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge education and training that meets the needs of our community within the telecommunications industry.”

To enroll today or learn more, visit the Verizon Technician Training Program, which is open to all U.S. residents aged 17 or older.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit Verizon or find a retail location at Verizon Stores.

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

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Shaniah James

Class of 2026
BA in Economics/MS in Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis and Policy

Why did you choose to pursue economics as a course of study?

When I started at Pace, I was a finance major, but that changed during my first semester when I took Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics with Professor Anna Shostya, PhD. That class introduced me to economics in a way that immediately drew me in, and I found myself deeply engaged and excited to learn more. What was so appealing was the behavioral aspect of economics, as I became fascinated by how people make decisions in different economic situations and the reasoning behind their behaviors. This made economics feel both analytical and dynamic. With Professor Shostya’s encouragement, I made the decision to switch my major to economics, and I haven’t looked back since.

Why did you choose to enroll in the BA in Economics/MS in Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis and Policy combined degree program at Pace?

I’ve always been a go-getter, and when I see an opportunity, I take it. When I learned about the combined degree program, I immediately started asking questions. The idea of earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously was incredibly appealing, as it was a chance to challenge myself academically while accelerating my career prospects.

What have your experiences been like with the Economics department? What faculty have been instrumental in your academic journey?

My experience in the Economics department has been amazing. The faculty are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive; they truly care about their students and want them to succeed. Because of this, it’s hard to single out just one professor who has been instrumental in my academic journey. Each faculty member I’ve learned from has played a meaningful role in shaping my experience and growth as an economics student.

I’ve always been a go-getter, and when I see an opportunity, I take it. The idea of earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously was incredibly appealing, as it was a chance to challenge myself academically while accelerating my career prospects.

What student activities have you been involved in?

One of the biggest opportunities I have been given thus far is being part of the Federal Reserve Challenge team at Pace. I have met so many incredible people while being on this team, and the recent achievements have made me nothing sort of proud of everyone on our team.

I have also had the amazing opportunity to take part in the Society of Fellows, where I presented research on factors that contributed to the global declining birthrates in 2021. I worked on this project in my Quantitative Analysis and Forecasting class with Professor Sam Baruch. It was first time I conducted such in-depth research and it was such a rewarding experience. I also had the opportunity to present my research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's 2024 Economic Scholars Program Conference. I enjoyed presenting my work and received so much insightful feedback. It was great to engage with fellow students and see their presentations as well.

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What internships have you had?

Last summer, I was an investment intern at Pharmakon Advisors, an opportunity I learned about through Career Services. It was incredible to work with a small but highly experienced and welcoming team, and what I appreciated most was the learning-focused environment, where I was encouraged to ask questions. For my first internship, it was an amazing experience, and I walked away with valuable skills that will serve me well in the future.

What are your career goals/what would you like to do upon graduation?

After graduation, I aspire to work in the private sector, focusing primarily on market research, data analysis, and economic forecasting. Additionally, I would love the opportunity to work at the Federal Reserve Bank, where I could contribute to economic research, policy analysis, and financial stability efforts. Ultimately, I plan to pursue a PhD in economics, and am particularly drawn to areas such as labor economics, and macroeconomics.

What advice would you like to give to our current students?

Take chances. Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back from pursuing opportunities. It’s easy to hesitate, but you never know what doors you might be closing on yourself if you don’t take risks. Some of the best opportunities come from simply putting yourself out there.