Come for the Competition, Stay for the Community: Danielle Giffin’s Moot Court Experience at Gonzaga Law
For many law students, moot court is where advocacy skills begin to take shape. For Danielle Giffin, it became a defining part of her law school journey.
Now serving as President of the Moot Court Honors Council, a member of the National Appellate Advocacy Team, and a J.D. Candidate in the Class of 2026, Danielle has experienced Gonzaga Law’s moot court program as a competitor, leader, and mentor. What she found went far beyond competition.
“What surprised me the most about Moot Court, whether it was competing on a team or in a school competition, was the depth of mentorship, support, and sense of community I felt,” Danielle said. “Not just with other students, but also with our larger legal community.”
Danielle entered moot court expecting a competitive exercise focused primarily on oral advocacy. Instead, she encountered a collaborative environment where faculty, alumni, and student leaders were deeply invested in one another’s success.
“I found a collaborative event full of supportive faculty, alumni, and student leaders who were genuinely invested in each other's success,” she said.
That sense of community eventually inspired Danielle to step into leadership. After serving as President-Elect, she now leads the Moot Court Honors Council as President, where she has seen how student leadership shapes the experience for others.
“Serving as the President-Elect last year and now as the President, I have witnessed students pour themselves into the program with the sole goal of improving other students’ law school experience,” she said.
For Danielle, moot court leadership is rooted in service. It is about stewardship, mentorship, and helping fellow students grow as advocates.
“Moot Court at Gonzaga is not just about competition. It is about stewardship, mentorship, and turning our passions into practice,” she said.
One moment that best captured Danielle’s experience came during her first year of law school, when she competed in the Linden Cup, one of Gonzaga Law’s longest-standing advocacy traditions.
During the week of competition, Danielle and her partner spent nearly every evening at the law school preparing and competing. What stood out most was the support surrounding them.
“Alumni volunteers, faculty members, and Moot Court Members stayed behind to calm our nerves, encourage us to keep going, and congratulate us on our success,” she recalled.
That support continued through the final round, when upper-level students showed up simply to help.
“Many of the third-year law students came to support my partner and me. They showed up when we needed the extra push, even if only by bringing a coffee,” Danielle said.
Looking back, Danielle credits moot court as one of the most meaningful parts of her Gonzaga Law experience.
“Being a part of the Moot Court Honors Council has shaped my law school career and is one of the best things I could’ve done at Gonzaga,” she said.
Danielle’s story reflects the heart of moot court at Gonzaga Law. It is a place where students develop advocacy skills, find mentorship, and become part of a supportive legal community that prepares them for practice with purpose.
Now serving as President of the Moot Court Honors Council, a member of the National Appellate Advocacy Team, and a J.D. Candidate in the Class of 2026, Danielle has experienced Gonzaga Law’s moot court program as a competitor, leader, and mentor. What she found went far beyond competition.
“What surprised me the most about Moot Court, whether it was competing on a team or in a school competition, was the depth of mentorship, support, and sense of community I felt,” Danielle said. “Not just with other students, but also with our larger legal community.”
Danielle entered moot court expecting a competitive exercise focused primarily on oral advocacy. Instead, she encountered a collaborative environment where faculty, alumni, and student leaders were deeply invested in one another’s success.
“I found a collaborative event full of supportive faculty, alumni, and student leaders who were genuinely invested in each other's success,” she said.
That sense of community eventually inspired Danielle to step into leadership. After serving as President-Elect, she now leads the Moot Court Honors Council as President, where she has seen how student leadership shapes the experience for others.
“Serving as the President-Elect last year and now as the President, I have witnessed students pour themselves into the program with the sole goal of improving other students’ law school experience,” she said.
For Danielle, moot court leadership is rooted in service. It is about stewardship, mentorship, and helping fellow students grow as advocates.
“Moot Court at Gonzaga is not just about competition. It is about stewardship, mentorship, and turning our passions into practice,” she said.
One moment that best captured Danielle’s experience came during her first year of law school, when she competed in the Linden Cup, one of Gonzaga Law’s longest-standing advocacy traditions.
During the week of competition, Danielle and her partner spent nearly every evening at the law school preparing and competing. What stood out most was the support surrounding them.
“Alumni volunteers, faculty members, and Moot Court Members stayed behind to calm our nerves, encourage us to keep going, and congratulate us on our success,” she recalled.
That support continued through the final round, when upper-level students showed up simply to help.
“Many of the third-year law students came to support my partner and me. They showed up when we needed the extra push, even if only by bringing a coffee,” Danielle said.
Looking back, Danielle credits moot court as one of the most meaningful parts of her Gonzaga Law experience.
“Being a part of the Moot Court Honors Council has shaped my law school career and is one of the best things I could’ve done at Gonzaga,” she said.
Danielle’s story reflects the heart of moot court at Gonzaga Law. It is a place where students develop advocacy skills, find mentorship, and become part of a supportive legal community that prepares them for practice with purpose.