CHICAGO, May 27, 2021 — The American Bar Association Law Student Division has named Stetson University College of Law the 2020-21 ABA Competitions Champion.
The Competitions Champion is the school team that earns the most points from competing in all four ABA Law Student Division competitions combined. The four competitions are the Arbitration Competition, Negotiation Competition, Client Counseling Competition and National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC Moot Court). Ranking criteria and the point totals for the top teams can be found here.
“Our four 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 and director of competitions and externships at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Stetson, located in Gulfport, Florida, fielded 10 teams across four competitions, and two Stetson teams advanced to the national finals in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Frieda Lindroth, Toria Ryan and Anya Pardy advanced to the national quarterfinals. Jessica Merker and Christopher Gieger were regional qualifiers in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition. J.R. Boyd and Leah Levell advanced to the Client Counseling Competition National Semifinals. In the Negotiation Competition, Huda Awan, Carlton Robinson, Alina Acevedo and Kylie Weaver advanced to the national finals. This year, more than 1,300 students from 180 law schools virtually participated in one or more of the competitions.
The Law Student Division sponsors four national practical skills competitions where 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.
The top 10 ABA competition law schools by points are:
1. Stetson University College of Law
2. Texas Tech University School of Law
3. Fordham University School of Law
4. Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law
5. University of Oklahoma College of Law
6. South Texas College of Law Houston
7. William and Mary Law School
8. Michigan State University College of Law
9. Campbell University - Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
10. Brooklyn Law School
For more information on the ABA Law Student Division and the competitions, visit their competition site.
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