Congratulations to Our ABA NAAC Team—Heading to Nationals!

In Boston this weekend, Stetson had two teams participating in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) regional, and one of our teams is advancing to nationals in April!

NAAC is one of the largest domestic moot court competitions in the nation, with over 170 teams participating this year. Teams participate in one of six regionals with the hope of being one of the four regional champions to advance to nationals. Our two teams—Drew Valenti, Anna Janowski, and Parker Schlichte, coached by alum Jeremy Bailie; and Asa Guydo, Jack Clark, and Ava Shore, coached by alum Evan Dix—have been working since mid-December on a Record that involves two issues concerning the First Amendment and TSA. (And yes, we will never go through security at the airport again without thinking about this Record.)

After five rounds of competition, the team of Drew, Anna, and Parker won their round to earn the invitation to nationals. This is the first time we have headed to nationals since the pandemic. In addition, the team won fourth-best brief. As a long-time member of the NAAC Committee (responsible for hosting all the regionals and nationals), I need to screen myself off from our teams. But that did not stop coaches and judges from pulling me aside to tell me about Stetson’s amazing advocates. Drew, Anna, Parker, Asa, Jack, and Ava represented Stetson well!

Congratulations, again, to Drew, Anna, and Parker! A special thanks goes out to Jeremy and Evan, the teams’ coaches, and to the faculty and Moot Court Board members who helped the teams prepare. Go Stetson!

Professor Bowman

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