Of the 31 moot court teams competing at last weekend’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) in Washington, D.C., two teams from Regent Law School emerged as Regional Champions and will advance to the national finals to be held in Chicago on April 3-5, 2008.
Last weekend’s wins are the latest in a series of victories for Regent Law School, including the 2006 NAAC Moot Court championship and the 2007 ABA National Negotiation Competition championship.
One of Regent’s teams, consisting of Joshua Jewett, Valerie Kuntz, and James Nealis, won the First Place Brief award; the second team of Rhonda Kinard, John Legg, and Cort Walker won the Second Place Brief award with Walker being named 8th Best Oralist out of a field of 80.
Coached by law Professors Michael Hernandez and Benjamin Madison, the teams developed outstanding legal briefs and oral arguments, keeping them undefeated during all five rounds of the tournament.
Competitors at the regional event included University of Virginia, Georgetown, Washington & Lee, Liberty, San Diego, and Nova Southeastern. Regent directly contended with Southern Methodist University, William & Mary, American University, and Southern Illinois University.
The American Bar Association hosts the annual NAAC comprising189 teams divided into six regions. Campbell University, Harvard, Michigan State, Washington University, and the University of Florida are among the other schools that have advanced to nationals.