SMU Dedman Law Celebrates 2026 Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann Moot Court Competition Winners

Last week, SMU Dedman School of Law and Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann LLP hosted the 2026 Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann Moot Court Competition.
Each year an acclaimed panel of state and federal judges gather to hear arguments from Dedman Law’s best moot court advocates. This year’s esteemed panel of judges included:

• Justice Brett Busby, Texas Supreme Court Justice
• Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan, Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Texas and Adjunct Professor at SMU Dedman School of Law
• Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, former Texas Supreme Court Justice

This prestigious competition, organized by the SMU Board of Advocates, provides a great opportunity for participants to hone brief writing skills and improve appellate advocacy capabilities. This year we recognize the following winners:

• 2026 Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann Champions- Roger Davis-Jahnel and Mary Catherine ("Catie") Zabel (3Ls)
• 2026 Best Brief- Roger Davis-Jahnel and Mary Catherine ("Catie") Zabel (3Ls)
• 2026 Runners Up- Devin Schurman and Matilda L. Gajardo (3Ls)
• 2026 Best Oralist- Mary Catherine ("Catie") Zabel (3L)

Congratulations to this year’s winners!