The American Bar Association has named Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., the inaugural ABA Competitions Champion.
Competitions Champion is awarded to the law school that garnered the most points through team achievements and participation in the ABA Law Student Division’s four practical skills competitions: 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 & Externships, University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Stetson fielded nine teams across four competitions and advanced to the national finals in the Arbitration, Negotiation and Client Counseling Competitions.
Vanessa Denk and Jahanna Azarian finished as national semifinalists at the Client Counseling Nationals in March at North Carolina Central University.
The Arbitration team of Olivia Mejido, Max Brown, Caroline Garrity and Meghan Sullivan placed first at the regional competition at Michigan State University College of Law.
“We are delighted to be recognized by the preeminent organization of our nation’s lawyers. Importantly, these skills are the foundation on which our students will build their professional careers to effectively represent clients and advocate for our communities,” added Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, dean and professor of law, Stetson University College of Law.
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.
This year, over 1,300 students from 156 law schools participated in one or more of the competitions sponsored by the Law Student Division.
Top Ten ABA Competition Law Schools by Points
1. Stetson University College of Law
2. Texas Tech University School of Law
3. Drake University Law School
4. Liberty University School of Law
5 (tie). University of Oklahoma College of Law
5 (tie). Michigan State University College of Law
7 (tie). Chapman University School of Law
7 (tie). University of Illinois College of Law
9. Southern Methodist University – Dedman School of Law
10 (tie). South Texas College of Law
10 (tie). Texas A&M University School of Law
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