IE Law School ranks among the world’s top teams at the 2026 Jessup Competition

IE Law School has successfully competed in the international rounds of the 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C., achieving a strong global performance in its first participation at this level.

This milestone was made possible by the outstanding work of the team representing IE Law School:

• Sabina Narváez (LL.M.) 
• Alexa Couttolenc (LL.B.)
• Maria Luiza El Awar (LL.B. & BIR)
• Omobolaji Ebubechukwu (LL.B. & BIR)

They were coached by Gabriela Echeverría and Sebastián Green, whose experience was instrumental throughout the competition.

From national champions to the global stage

After winning the Spanish national rounds, the team secured first place and earned the right to represent Spain in Washington, D.C.

Organized by the International Law Students Association (ILSA), the Jessup Competition brings together nearly 700 law schools from more than 100 countries.

A strong performance

IE Law School delivered a remarkable performance in the U.S. capital. The team competed in four preliminary rounds, achieving three victories and one defeat.

On the strength of these results, IE advanced to the Round of 48, finishing 43rd overall and placing in the top 6% of teams worldwide.

Global recognition

By finishing among the top teams worldwide, IE Law School received an official international award, recognizing its performance.

The competition also highlighted exceptional individual talent. Alexa Couttolenc ranked 98th out of 550 oralists worldwide, placing her among the top performers globally. Alongside her, Sabina Narváez delivered a consistently strong performance as a double oralist.

A transformative experience

Beyond rankings and awards, the Jessup experience has had a lasting impact on participants.

For Sabina Narváez, the experience underscores both the intensity of the commitment and its rewards:“Jessup is a huge time commitment, but if they take it seriously, their research, public speaking and teamwork skills will get dramatically better. It consumes a lot of time and energy, but the rewards are unparalleled!”

Alexa Couttolenc highlighted the clarity the experience brought to her career path: “Jessup has already affected my career. Before participating, I did not know which career path to choose. Now, I know exactly where I am headed, and this would not have been possible without the guidance of my amazing coaches.”

For Omobolaji Ebubechukwu, the competition was transformative: “Jessup was an immersive experience into the world of international law. It also taught me a lot about my strengths and weaknesses and helped me clarify my professional interests.”

Maria Luiza El Awar emphasized the academic and experiential value of the competition: “The Jessup is an amazing opportunity to connect with professionals and to get immersed in the world of international law. It is a demanding endeavor but totally worth the exposure and gaining the experience.”

Looking ahead

This achievement reinforces IE Law School’s growing presence in the global legal arena. From national champion to a top-performing international competitor, the institution continues to strengthen its position in legal education.