UC Law Team Earns Third Place at KMK First-Year Law Student Case Competition

With only Friday night to work through the problem, time management quickly became part of the challenge. Rather than trying to tackle every possible issue, the team focused on identifying what would actually move the needle for their client. Shroder said this process reinforced how important it is not to spend too much time on smaller issues that ultimately don’t change the outcome—something that can be easy to do early in law school when everything feels equally important.

One of the biggest takeaways, however, came from learning how attorneys communicate with clients outside of the classroom. While law school often rewards including as much information as possible, the competition judges emphasized clarity and practicality. Gottfried and Shroder intentionally avoided citing specific statutes and cases, instead explaining what the law allows in broader, more digestible terms.

“That less-is-more approach left a really positive impression,” Shroder said. “Several judges talked about how challenging client communication can be, and it was validating to hear that our approach worked.”

The team also leaned heavily on skills developed during their first semester, particularly in Lawyering I with Professor Lori Landrum, using a structured approach to identify key legal issues that were not immediately obvious. By working backward from the client’s goals, they were able to clearly outline realistic options and next steps—mirroring the same analytical process attorneys use in practice.

Above all, Gottfried and Shroder approached the competition as if they were real attorneys advising a real client—starting with professional introductions, communicating clearly and confidently, and making sure their client’s goals stayed at the center of their strategy. That mindset paid off, with judges offering positive feedback on both their communication and presentation skills.