Cooley Law School’s Moot Court team won first place at the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, held during the Florida Bar Convention. The team consisted of law students from Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus: Isabel Zagazeta, Demitri Samarkos, and Carson Yonker. Additionally, Yonker was named the competition’s Best Oral Advocate.
Sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar, the Orseck Competition brings together teams from all 12 Florida law schools. Cooley advanced through a highly competitive field, facing teams from the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, and the University of Miami in the preliminary rounds. The team went on to defeat Barry University in the quarterfinals and Ave Maria School of Law in the semifinals.
In the final round, Cooley faced St. Thomas University before the full Florida Supreme Court. Oralists Demitri Samarkos and Carson Yonker delivered a strong performance, successfully responding to rigorous questioning from the justices to secure the championship. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz recognized Cooley Law School as the competition’s winner.
Cooley alumnus and Adjunct Professor Daniel Cardwell coached the team. During the competition, Judge Paul Byron of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida noted the team delivered one of the strongest rebuttals he had seen in any moot court competition.
“This competition brings together some of the top law schools in Florida, making this a truly outstanding achievement,” said Cardwell, who coached the Tampa Bay team. “Our students demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills, from preparing their arguments to delivering under pressure in front of the Florida Supreme Court. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, teamwork, and success.”
Cooley Law School’s Moot Court team captured First Place at the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, held during the Florida Bar Convention. Pictured (left-right) Carson Yonker, Cooley alumnus and adjunct professor Daniel Cardwell, Isabel Zagazeta and Demitri Samarkos.
Cooley Law School student Carson Yonker was named Best Advocate of the competition during the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition.
Justices of the Florida Supreme Court pictured with organizers from the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition. The competition was sponsored by Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar, the Orseck Competition brings together teams from all twelve Florida law schools.
Cooley Law School’s Moot Court team presents during the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, which was held during the annual Florida Bar Convention.
