Texas Tech University School of Law reclaimed its ABA Competitions Champion title for the 2022-2023 year. Congratulations!
The Competitions Championship is won by the school who earns the most points from competing in all five ABA Law Student Division competitions combined. This means that teams had to do well in the Arbitration Competition, Negotiation Competition Client Counseling Competition, National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC Moot Court), and Representation in Mediation Competition. Ranking criteria and the point totals for the top teams can be found here.
Texas Tech University School of Law fielded ten teams across five competitions. Texas Tech had two teams compete in the Negotiation Competition. The team of Morgan Walton and Judy Tejeda-Gonzales finished as regional finalists. Riley Caraway and Matthew Farago’s team finished as national co-champions and went on to the National Negotiation Competition, where they finished as National Quarterfinalists. Competitors Sarah Courtney and Jared Williams represented Texas Tech in the Client Counseling Competition and finished as regional champions. Competitors Brooke Brewer, Megan Gower, Jaycie Cruz, and Summer Johnson finished as regional champions in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition.
Brooke Brewer and Megan Gower went on to compete in the NAAC Finals and finished as National Quarterfinalist. Jaycie Cruz and Summer Johnson finished as semifinalists in the NAAC Finals. Megan Gower was awarded best advocate 1st place; Stephanie A. Lowry was awarded best advocate 2nd place; and Barry Klein was awarded best advocate 3rd place. Texas Tech also received awards for best brief 5th place and best brief 1st place.
“Our competitions offer students an amazing opportunity to hone essential lawyering skills before they enter practice. Through consistent participation and success in ABA competitions, these law schools display especially well-rounded practical skills training programs. We are thrilled to recognize these schools through the Competitions Championship,” said Connie S. Smothermon, Competitions Committee Co-Chair.
The Law Student Division sponsors five national practical skills competitions. Law students get a chance to hone the skills they will use as attorneys. ABA competitions teach law students real-world legal skills in a simulated practice environment. Judges for the competitions included volunteer attorneys and sitting members of the bench.