The annual GW charity competition between torts and contracts was held yesterday and I am saddened to report that contracts prevailed on the field of paintball.  Each year, the students bid for positions on the two teams and all of the money goes to support public interest work by our law students at George Washington.  (The Contracts team is in front with Professor Greg Maggs in the middle; the Torts Team is standing in the back).

This is the fifth year and contracts now has a 3-2 lead.  This year was particularly challenging with a bright sunny day in Virginia at 96 degrees. The heat index moved the temperature to around 103 and it was punishing.  This is the hottest day that we faced in the competition.  We had to choose between protective layers and heat stroke. I have four impressive welts that indicate my choice.  Throughout the day, many of us remarked how the day brought home the incredibly harsh conditions that our troops have to face in places like Iraq (carrying full packs and fighting in such hot weather).  On a Memorial Day weekend, it gave all of us pause to think of an actual operation in the Middle East for our military personnel. We only had to compete in a fun competition with breaks and water for a couple of hours — and no one trying to actually kill us.

The victorious contracts team was led by Professor Maggs. The contracts team this year was composed of Patrick Stewart, John “Fritz” Plinke, Natalee Allenbaugh, and Andrew Ramos. They were a fierce and furtive bunch who carried forth the legacy of Karl Llewellyn with distinction.

I had the honor of leading a torts team composed of Jenna Rovira, Vladimir Semendyai, Dane Shikman, and Alex Hokenson.  They fought with bravery and courage.  Indeed, the first round was won in quick order 5-0 with no losses.  It went down from there unfortunately, but the torts team never lost its humor and optimism.  They are a credit to the likes of Cardozo and Hand. (Indeed, our use of “Hand-to-Hand tactics” is a reference to Judge Learned Hand).

Frankly, I was happy to see that no one ended the competition with a heat stroke. However, torts is now entirely committed to prevailing next year.  Contracts should be careful in messing with people trained in concepts like assault and battery.  So, we left our friends with a hearty congratulations and a menacing eye toward 2017.