Temple Law 2Ls Malik Guidry, Cassandra Gibson, and Alyssa Pendergrast and 3L Dori Hoffman Filler represented Temple Law with distinction at the Regional rounds of the American Intellectual Property Law Association Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Moot Court competition, considered the most prestigious moot court competition in the nation. All turned in exceptional performances, and while Gibson and Pendergrast were eventually turned away by a tough Harvard team, Guidry and Hoffman Filler persevered and will advance to the National rounds in Washington, D.C. in mid-April.
The teams were supported by faculty co-advisors, Professors Donald Harris and Erika Douglas; faculty advocacy and subject matter experts, Professors Salil Mehra, Jules Epstein, and Mary Levy (JD ‘00); alumni Taylor Weilnau (JD ‘24) and Ravi Gandhi (JD ‘25); and 4LE Sam Parrott, a previous competition participant.
“This is a wonderful accomplishment for our students,” said Professor Douglas. “We have been consistently impressed by their work ethic, professionalism, discipline, and support for one another. Their talent as advocates is clear and their future as Temple lawyers is bright.”
“It has been a privilege and a joy to watch these four students find their voices as advocates, especially advocates with a passion for intellectual property,” added Professor Harris. “They are all extremely talented. But it takes more than talent. It also takes a tremendous amount of work. They do that, as well. We’re deeply proud of them as our students and look forward to all they will do as graduates and colleagues in the field.”
“This competition, though certainly challenging at times, brought out the best advocate in me, and has solidified my long-term goal to find a place in appellate work. I was lucky enough to have a partner who not only walked into each round with a readiness to win, but who became a wonderful friend– our success is a direct reflection of Malik’s willingness to spend long nights reviewing material, discussing strategy over the phone, and being a consistent source of encouragement,” said Hoffman Filler.
Guidry concurred. “This competition has served as scaffolding for the realization that I am capable in a field where people of color are few. I can sometimes be uncertain about my own abilities, but with the support of my teammate Dori, I feel that I am beginning to find my legal voice. Her unwavering belief in me as a teammate was the nudge I needed to break out of my shell and engage in the kind of conversation I enjoy most: a conversation about patents.”
Hoffman Filler also expressed gratitude for the many members of the Temple Law community who have supported the team along the way. “Our achievement thus far highlights Temple Law’s dedication to its students; from practices with our coaches and faculty to alumni volunteers, law firms, and judges, it took a village. Malik and I are just so proud and humble to have gotten the chance to be a part of it all.”
The Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Moot Court competition is named for the late Honorable Giles Sutherland Rich, Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The competition is an annual inter-law school event sponsored by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). The National rounds will be held April 15-17, 2026 in Washington, D.C.