The Ames Final Round

The Final Round marks the culmination of the Ames Competition. Two teams, having advanced through the Qualifying and Semifinal Rounds based on the strength of their written and oral advocacy, argue before a distinguished bench of legal leaders.

The Case

Daniel Welles is a serial entrepreneur whose ambition has always outstripped his ability. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, things appeared to be finally falling into place: he had just converted an old gin distillery into a hand-sanitizer manufactory when demand for hand sanitizer spiked. He was not, however, able to capitalize on his good timing. As part of the declaration of a public health emergency, the Governor of the State of Ames authorized the state hospital system to operate Welles’ equipment for the State’s public benefit.

His equipment was returned after the emergency ended, but his opportunity had passed. He was never paid for its use, and Ames lacks any statutory or common-law mechanism for a taking of private property for public benefit. Welles sued Ames directly under the Fifth Amendment, arguing that it provides its own cause of action for “just compensation” and effects a waiver of state sovereign immunity. The district court dismissed; the Court of Appeals for the Ames Circuit reversed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari on two questions:

Read the Parties’ Briefs

The Bench

The Finalist Teams

Read Their Semi-Final Briefs

Read the Semi-Finals briefs that earned both teams a place in the Final Round.

Questions about the Final Round?
Email the Ames Committee at [email protected].