Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes; March 17, 2026.— Students from the School of Law at the Universidad Panamericana AguascalientesUniversidad Panamericana won first place nationally in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition-Mexico, the most important public international law competition in the field.
With this result, the team will represent Mexico in the international phase to be held in Washington, D.C., further solidifying the institution’s global reputation.
Legal Education of the Highest Quality
The team was made up of Valeria Flores Romo, José María Hernández Goldaracena, Arlo Escamilla Ruiz, David Silva Loredo, and coach Mariana Rivas Vargas, who is also an alumna.
The national rounds were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), with the participation of 11 universities from across the country, including those in Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Coahuila, Jalisco, and Tabasco, making this achievement one of the most significant in the field of legal academia in Mexico
A high-level academic course in international law
The Jessup Competition consists of a simulation of a fictitious legal dispute between states before the International Court of Justice. The competition also aims to promote an international legal culture and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
“This achievement is part of the Law School’s tradition of excellence in international competitions. We have a community of students and alumni who proudly represent the Universidad Panamericana Mexico, preparing themselves rigorously and learning from their predecessors. It is a privilege to witness their personal and professional growth in these high-level settings,” notes Pedro Armendáriz, director of the Bachelor of Laws program.
For Valeria Flores, winning the Jessup was a way to honor this legacy. “On a personal level, this victory was proof of what we are capable of achieving, and I am convinced that these opportunities are vital for driving us forward, because today more than ever, international law needs us, ” she emphasizes.
Research and Strategic Argumentation
In this edition, the topics discussed included the rights of indigenous peoples and natural resources, the meaning of general principles of law, and the immunity of state-owned enterprises from the jurisdiction of other states, among others.
During the competition, students draft a written brief that simulates the arguments of both parties—the applicant state and the respondent state —which would be presented before the International Court of Justice. The teams then present their arguments in oral arguments before a panel of judges representing the members of the International Court of Justice.
“Drafting the brief is one of the most demanding parts of the process, because it involves months of in-depth research, strategic discussion of the arguments, and a meticulous drafting and review process. Every claim must be legally substantiated and presented in a clear, logical, and persuasive manner,” the team notes.
It is important to note that, in addition to winning the national rounds, the team was named Best Applicant’s Memorial for the second time. Furthermore, student José María Hernández was named Best Speaker of the final round.
“Receiving the award for Best Speaker in the finals was very special and a surprise, especially given what Jessup has meant to my development after three years of participation. Although the recognition is individual, I see it as a collective achievement and the result of the great synergy we’ve built as a team,” José María shared.
Teamwork and academic support
One of the biggest challenges the team faced was maintaining a balance between academic and professional excellence while preparing for this competition, given the constant work, dedication, and discipline it requires.
For Arlo Escamilla, building team synergy was a key factor in their victory. “Your mindset accounts for 50% of the battle before each round: if you’re anxious or afraid, it won’t go well. You have to trust in your knowledge and preparation, both individually and as a team. I’d like to thank all my teammates and our coach for making this such an enjoyable experience, ” he adds.
The students also highlighted the support their coach provided throughout the preparation period and during the competition itself. “Having the support of coaches like Mariana Rivas made all the difference; her guidance and emotional support helped us turn fatigue into motivation, ” they said.
For her part, Mariana Rivas spoke about how meaningful it was for her to return to the university in this role as a coach in a field she is passionate about: public international law.
“As an alumna, for me it’s largely a way of giving back what I myself received when I was a student. At the same time, I continue to learn a great deal from the competition, from the students, and from the responsibility that comes with helping to build new teams for the university,” she says .
Following its national victory, the team from the Universidad Panamericana will represent Mexico at the international competition in Washington, D.C.—one of the most important events for law students worldwide—from March 28 to April 4.
Education with a global perspective and academic excellence
Participation in competitions such as the Jessup is part of the educational model at the Universidad Panamericana, which promotes academic excellence, internationalization, and leadership development among its students.
This achievement reaffirms the institution's commitment to training lawyers who are capable of meeting the challenges of the global environment and contributing to the development of international law.
