The Advocacy Program at South Texas College of Law Houston continues to educate champions, with three teams earning the chance to compete in national finals in early 2025.
At the Region 6 rounds of the 75th National Moot Court Competition in Atlanta, the team of Carone Lubel, Tevin Long, and Adie Schlenker (with Cody Harris serving as clerk) finished as regional finalists, earning their place in the national finals in New York City in January.
Their coaches were Tony Taft ’98 (The Taft Firm), Andrew Bender ’12 (Andrews Myers), Garrett Gray ’23 (Supreme Court of Texas), and Sharon McCally ’90 (The McCally Firm).
In Lubbock, at the regional rounds of the ABA Arbitration Competition, two student teams qualified for the national finals in Chicago:
Regional Champion team: Caroline Rains, Memona Niazi, Tripp Daleo, and Madeleine Stolzer
Regional Finalist team: Cristen Flanagan, Cody Orona, Lillie “Grace” Fischer, and Julia Moore
South Texas Law’s third team (Harrison Kirkpatrick, Alejandro Rodriguez, Savannah Gless, and Jagger LaRoe) finished fifth.
Their coaches were Billy Robinett ‘22 (Franzoni, Nelson, & Robinett) and Elleana Poulis ’23 (The Melendez Firm).
In San Diego, at the National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition, Megan McGuire and Marc Wynne reached the quarterfinals, with Wynne earning the Best Advocate in the Tournament award. Their coaches were Trent Cooper ’21 (Callendar Bowlin), Zach Monty ’21 (Hunton Andrews Kurth), and Clayton Hart ‘20 (Kirkland & Ellis).
The STCL Houston team at the National Civil Trial Competition in Los Angeles (Jacob Manley, Abigail Beam, Allison Brock, and Jacob Gadde) also exceled, with Beam winning Best Opening Statement in the Tournament. Their coaches were Ashley Menage ’14 (Griffith Barbee) and Arthuro Garza ‘24 (Newton, Jones, McNeely).
“The competitive field at each tournament was exceptionally strong, making these accomplishments even more noteworthy,” said Rob Galloway, professor of law, vice president, advocacy, and W. James Kronzer, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Advocacy. “Our students consistently brought their absolute best, making our law school proud through their preparation, professionalism, and performance.”
Galloway noted that the resent successes reflect the hard work of the competing students, the dedication of their alumni coaches, and the countless practice round judges who helped prepare them.
“We could not have achieved these results without this combined effort from our entire law school community,” he said. “Special recognition goes to Hayley Stenhouse, Rebecca Hogg, and Stephanie Sullivan, whose tireless efforts have kept us on track to achieve these results.”
Competition continues this weekend as the moot court teams travel to Virginia and the mock trial team heads to Georgia. This week, South Texas Law is hosting the Texas Regional of the National Moot Court Competition here at the law school.
Earlier this fall, South Texas Law students won the law school’s 142nd national championship in the First Chair Mock Trial Competition in San Diego, Calif. The team was Jacob Manley and Memona Niazi, and their coaches were Billy Robinett ’22 (Franzoni, Nelson, & Robinett) and Elleana Poulis ’23 (The Melendez Firm).
Other Awards and Competitions this Semester:
ABOTA Best in Texas Jury Selection, Houston, TexasCaroline RainsLeonard LynceAshlyn Aktar-Bieganowski
Semifinalist
Alumni Coaches: Craig Priesmyer ’15 (Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office), Morgan Bird ’18 (Nistico, Crouch & Kessler)
November 10
National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition, Washington, D.C.Daniel ArmentaCassidy Irwin
Semifinalist
Alumni Coaches: Alexa Moores Escalante ’22 (Harris County Attorney’s Office), Cesar Escalante ’18 (Locke Lord)
November 2
Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition, Chicago, IllinoisMariana GiraldoHarrison KirkpatrickDavid Nixon
QuarterfinalistAlumni Coaches: Ryan Cunningham ’17 (Locke Lord), Zach Caballero ’17 (Padilla & Rodriquez)
November 1-2
National Health Law Moot Court Competition, Carbondale, IllinoisAlexis AcevedoIvan DeLeonDesmin Johnson
Quarterfinalist
Third Best Advocate – Ivan DeLeonAlumni Coaches: Sandra Guillen ’19 (Graves & Graves), Kevin Hunter ’15 (Boudreaux, Hunter & Associates)
Original source can be found here.