THE SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED.
This competition is dedicated to the late
Judge Mitchell L. McLean
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
We've proudly partnered with Pérez-Llorca to host our competition.
"This is a great example of your passion, your commitment, and your desire to be better and get engaged with your education."
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Eugenia Castrillón Martínez-Bordíu, Vice Dean of IE Law School
SPRING 2026 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Halfway through the 2026 Spring Term at IE Law School, the international edition of the Mitchell L. McLean Trial Competition was organized and hosted in collaboration with ELSA France. Teams from renowned universities, such as the University of Cambridge, IE University, and the University of Malta, faced each other in criminal trials, testing not only their litigation abilities but also their brief writing, legal research, and case law analysis.
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Demonstrating exceptional professionalism and expertise represented by the University of Cambridge team performed outstandingly to win the highly sought-after 1st place. The IE Law School team placed 2nd, presenting equally strong arguments and analysis but ultimately falling short in the holistic evaluation by a panel of lawyers and professors. Another IE team earned third place, and the University of Malta finished fourth, all showcasing remarkable ability and effort to present persuasive legal arguments on complex issues.
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Throughout the competition, all participating teams exhibited a high degree of preparation, professionalism, and dedication. Students from universities across Europe brought diverse perspectives that fostered a highly competitive and rewarding experience, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in legal education.
The Mitchell L. McLean Trial Competition continues to serve as a flagship event at ELSA IE, giving law students opportunities to develop their legal skills through real-life simulations of the American justice system and broadening their knowledge and skill set.
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About Judge Mitchell L. McLean
Judge Mitchell L. McLean was a distinguished member of the legal community, known for his unwavering dedication to justice and public service. He served as the Chief District Court Judge for the 23rd Judicial District of North Carolina, presiding over various criminal and civil cases. On July 3, 2013, tragedy struck when Judge McLean lost his life while attempting to rescue Mary Anne Galway and her husband Edward from a rip tide at Sunset Beach. Despite the risks, Judge McLean selflessly put himself in harm's way to help others in need, a testament to his character and dedication to serving his community.
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Judge McLean's legacy continues to impact the legal community, inspiring young people to pursue careers in law and public service, including Dane Chilton, the founding president of ELSA IE University, who credits Judge McLean with inspiring his passion for law at a young age.
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Through his life and selfless sacrifice, he showed the importance of serving others and upholding justice. The Judge Mitchell L. Mclean Memorial Trial Competition is a testament to his legacy, providing a platform to educate and inspire the next generation of legal professionals in his memory.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
