Jack Miller is the winner of the Oral Argument Advocacy Challenge at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
In the spring semester of each year, students in UW Law’s Legal Analysis, Advocacy and Writing Program (LAAW) are given the opportunity to practice their oral advocacy skills. After researching and writing their trial brief, students argue their client’s case to their professor and against another student advocate. This year, the arguments centered around whether a TikTok creator infringed on the plaintiff’s copyright when she used the plaintiff’s Calico Critter dolls, meant for young kids, to create humorous videos. Specifically, the defendant altered the dolls by dressing them up in adult clothing with fake eyelashes and makeup, and put the dolls in compromising situations, like stealing a car or partying in a club. The issue was whether the defendant’s use of the dolls was fair use under the Copyright Act.
After listening to all their students’ oral arguments, each professor nominated the best oral advocates from their sections, who then competed in a two-day elimination tournament to select a winner. After the first two days of the tournament, the field was winnowed to just two from 14 semi-finalists. The finalists were Haley Johnston and Jack Miller.
The final round was held in a packed courtroom and highlighted the advocates' ability to analyze fact-specific cases to persuade the court of their client’s position. Both finalists demonstrated their capacity to draw parallels between their client’s situation and existing legal precedents, and to effectively distinguish their client's circumstances from opposing arguments. While the panel of judges peppered the advocates with questions presenting complex hypotheticals and creative policy arguments, the advocates skillfully and persuasively responded.
The LAAW Program is proud of all the competitors for providing another year of excellent student oral arguments.
Submitted by Law School News on April 8, 2026
This article appears in the categories: Features
