Stetson named regional co-champion at National Trial Competition
National Trial Competition winners (L-R): Daniel Christopher, Haley Coet, Ashleigh Brooks and Carlos Manresa.
Stetson University College of Law was named regional co-champion of the Region 6 rounds of the National Trial Competition on Feb. 3-5 at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater, Florida.
The Stetson team of Ashleigh Brooks, Daniel Christopher, Carlos Manresa and Haley Coet defeated a team from Cumberland University in the final round of the National Trial Competition. Brooks was also awarded the best advocate award for the semifinal round, identified as the best out of 16 individual advocates.
A team from the University of Alabama School of Law was named Stetson’s regional co-champion.
The mock trial competition, which attracts teams from more than 140 law schools involving more than 1,000 law students each year, was established to encourage law students to develop trial advocacy skills.
The top two teams from each of the 14 regional rounds will advance to compete in the national competition, March 22-26, in Fort Worth, Texas.
A second Stetson team of students Amara Benitez, Jeremiah Fues, Alberto Oquendo-Alvarez and Chantay Perry received individual awards for best opening statement and best direct examination.
Stetson Law alumni Julia Metts J.D. ’04 and Dan Miles J.D. ’15 coached the Stetson teams.
“Stetson’s national reputation for trial advocacy is unmatched,” said Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy Charles Rose, director of the advocacy center at Stetson. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this competition, and to send our students to the national rounds to test their skills advocating before members of the bench and bar.”
Stetson’s trial advocacy program is ranked no. 1 by U.S. News & World Report.
The Texas Young Lawyers Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers co-sponsor the mock trial competition, and Stetson law school hosted the Region 6 rounds.
Learn more about advocacy at Stetson by visiting stetson.edu/law/advocacy.
Post date: Feb. 6, 2017
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
[email protected] | 727-430-1580