Written by: Will Bower
The College of Law hosted the Iowa Supreme Court during its oldest tradition — Supreme Court Day — on Oct. 2, 2026.
Now in its 98th year, Supreme Court Day celebrates the College of Law’s roots in the state’s highest court and bridges the gap between legal education and courtroom advocacy. The court’s seven justices – Chief Justice Susan Christensen, Justice Edward M. Mansfield, Justice Thomas D. Waterman (84JD), Justice Christopher McDonald (01JD), Justice Dana Oxley (98JD), Justice Matthew McDermott, and Justice David May – spent the day engaging with students and faculty, both in the courtroom and through social events.
A major highlight of the day is the student moot case. Each year, the top four advocates from the Van Oosterhout-Baskerville and Jessup Moot Court Competitions argue a fictional case in front of the court. Law students rarely argue in front of sitting judges, let alone the justices of a state’s highest court.
This year, four 3L student advocates — Richelle Manuel-Rayburn, Daniel Sunne, Jessica Pray Patel, and Emmalee Bosma — debated the fictional scenario of Caitlyn Kinnick v. Clark School District. Written by 3L James Koepplin, the mock appeal centered on premises liability and vicarious liability.
Koepplin said creating the scenario required extensive case reading to find arguable and understandable issues.
“The bulk of my writing consisted of creating facts that allowed both sides to make arguments without having facts point too far in one party's favor,” Koepplin said.
Following an introduction by Koepplin, the students began their arguments and faced intense questioning from the court. Manuel-Rayburn was the first speaker, an experience she described as nerve-racking.
“After answering Justice Oxley’s first question, I started having fun,” Manuel-Rayburn said. “Being in front of the court was an incredible thrill.”
Like real attorneys, student advocates invest substantial time and energy in preparation for their appearance before the court. Bosma said the extensive preparation gave her confidence in her abilities and showed her what she is capable of.
“Oral advocacy hasn't come easily to me, so it's been incredibly rewarding to watch my skills develop through extensive preparation and mentorship from my peers and faculty,” Bosma said.
In the afternoon, the justices returned to Levitt Auditorium to hear arguments in a real ongoing appeal, State of Iowa v. James Wiggins. In a rare opportunity, students, faculty, and staff were invited to witness the appellate process from the comfort of the Boyd Law Building.
The day ended with dinners featuring each justice and hosted by numerous faculty, giving students the chance to engage in an informal setting and promoting the strong relationship between Iowa Law and the state judiciary.
