Congratulations to the Participants in the First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition

Congratulations to the participants in, and the winners of, the Spring 2023 First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition.  This semester’s competition was split over two nights (Tuesday and Wednesday), and the competition was held on Zoom.

Please join me in congratulating all of the students for their hard work and extraordinary performances.

Best Oralist:                    

Wednesday:      Kristen Ballard
Thursday:           Mariana Monforte

Runner-up Best Oralist:

Wednesday:      Antonio “Toni” Rodriguez and Sophie McFee (tied)
Thursday:           Elizabeth Campbell

Third Place:

Wednesday:      Laith Hatoum
Thursday:           Sydney Smith

Participants and Round Winners:

Tuesday:

  • Round 1:  Marjorie Kammerlohr v. Antonio “Toni” Rodriguez (round winner)
  • Round 2:  Sophie McFee (round winner) v. Laith Hatoum
  • Round 3:  Audrey G. Timmins v. Kristen Ballard (round winner)
  • Round 4:  Jon Gardner (round winner—tied) v. Collin O’Keefe (round winner—tied)
  • Round 5:  Madeleine Bodiford (round winner) v. Mia Bartolomei-Negron

Wednesday:

  • Round 1:  Abigail Ladwig-Conway (round winner) v. Kaleigh Hoffman
  • Round 2:  Elizabeth Campbell (round winner) v. Allison R. Bass
  • Round 3:  Mariana Monforte (round winner) v. Dustin Shore
  • Round 4:  Sydney Smith (round winner) v. Benjamin Russell

The First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition has been an R&W II tradition for probably close to 25 years, if not more, and this spring’s competition would not be possible without the support of our Moot Court alums. 

A special thanks goes to the judges who shared their time and expertise with the students.  On Tuesday evening, a special thanks to Evan Dix (chief judge), Audrey Gangloff, and Jessica Merker.  And on Wednesday evening, a special thanks to Lara Breslow (chief judge), Alex Metras, and Christopher Pate.

And after the rounds, the judges spent time providing feedback and advice, but one theme was apparent—there was nothing but praises for the students and the development of their advocacy skills.  The judges were very impressed on how well the students did.

Congratulations, everyone!
Professor Bowman

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