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South Texas Law Advocates Earn 143rd National Championship, Other Successes

SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Monday, March 31, 2025

South Texas Law Advocates Earn 143rd National Championship, Other Successes

Webp award

Trophy | In collaboration with Katelyn Perry

During spring break last week, advocates from South Texas College of Law Houston earned the law school’s 143rd national championship, won a regional championship, and took home three best advocate awards and an outstanding advocate award, among other triumphs.

“I am happy to share the remarkable accomplishments of our advocacy teams during spring break,” said Professor of Law Rob Galloway, who serves as vice president, advocacy, and the W. James Kronzer, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Advocacy. “From San Francisco to Puerto Rico, from Albany to Denver, our advocates showcased exceptional skill against tough competition. The results speak volumes about our program’s strength. Every South Texas team advanced to elimination rounds at their respective competitions.”

South Texas Law advocates achieved the extraordinary feat of securing both first and second place at the inaugural University of California Law San Francisco National Constitutional Law Competition, earning the law school’s 143rd national championship.

The all-South Texas final featured Tevin Long and Caroline Lubel, who emerged as national champions and won second-best brief, and Jacob Manley, Megan McGuire, and Gentry Smith, who took finalist honors. Manley also earned the prestigious best advocate award.

The program’s success continued in Denver, where Major Pirtle, Marc Wynne, Julia Moore, and Dustin Boyd captured the regional championship at the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition, qualifying for the national finals in Atlanta this April.

In Columbia, S.C., the South Texas Law team of Avery Bryant, Tripp Daleo, Cristen Flanagan, Jacob Gadde, Serena Martin, and Cody Orona advanced to the semifinals of the Trials and Tribulations Trial Competition. Bryant won the outstanding advocate award.

At the online regional of the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition, Shelton Brown, Katherine Dillard, Britany Gaona, and Austin Meyer demonstrated exceptional skill as semifinalists.

In Ponce, Puerto Rico, Alexis Acevedo and Sebastian Portillo secured third place at the National Latino(a) Law Student Association National Moot Court Competition, with Alexis Acevedo recognized as best advocate.

The South Texas Law teams at the Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition in Albany, New York, both reached the quarterfinals. Desmin Johnson and Brandt Wild competed alongside Brooke Stoddard, Brenton Kim, and Kathleen Sanchez, with Desmin Johnson honored as best advocate.

In Morgantown, West Va., two teams reached the octofinals of the National Energy and Sustainability Law Moot Court Competition: David Nixon and Harshal Patel, along with Jacob Miranda, Carlton Smith, and Cole Zimmerman.

“These tournaments featured exceptionally talented competitors nationwide, making our students’ achievements truly extraordinary,” Galloway said. “Through meticulous preparation, consummate professionalism, and skillful advocacy, they embodied the highest standards of our institution.”

Galloway noted that these remarkable outcomes reflect a true team effort — combining the student advocates’ dedication, the expert guidance of alumni coaches, and invaluable feedback from countless practice round judges. “This collective commitment to excellence continues to propel our advocacy program to new heights,” he said.

In a celebratory note to the campus, Galloway extended special appreciate to the alumni coaches and the internal advocacy team: Hayley Stenhouse, Rebecca Hogg, Connor Evans, Sandra Guillen, and Stephanie Sullivan, “whose tireless behind-the-scenes efforts proved instrumental in our students’ success.”

University of California Law San Francisco National Constitutional Law Competition

San Francisco, California

Tevin Long

Caroline Lubel

National Champion (STCL’s 143rd)

Second Best Brief

Jacob Manley

Megan McGuire

Gentry Smith

Finalist Team

Best Advocate – Jacob Manley

Alumni Coaches:

Maha Ghyas ’23 (Fifteenth Court of Appeals)

Taylor Leger ’23 (Jackson Walker)

Denver Regional of AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition

Denver, Colorado

Major Pirtle

Marc Wynne

Julia Moore

Dustin Boyd

Regional Champion

Qualified for National Finals in Atlanta in April

Alumni Coaches:

Ashley Bateman Menage ’14 (Griffith Barbee)

Arthuro Garza ’24 (Newton, Jones & McNeeley)

Trials and Tribulations Trial Competition

Columbia, South Carolina

Avery Bryant

Tripp Daleo

Cristen Flanagan

Jacob Gadde

Serena Martin

Cody Orona

Semifinalist

Alumni Coaches:

Nidia Ventura Molina ’22 (Harris County DA’s Office)

Arthuro Garza ’24 (Newton, Jones & McNeeley)

Billy Robinett ’22 (Franzoni, Nelson & Robinett)

Online Regional of AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition

Shelton Brown

Katherine Dillard

Britany Gaona

Austin Meyer

Semifinalist

Alumni Coaches:

Ashley Bateman Menage ’14 (Griffith Barbee)

Arthuro Garza ’24 (Franzoni, Nelson & Robinett)

National Latino(a) Law Student Association National Moot Court Competition

Ponce, Puerto Rico

Alexis Acevedo

Sebastian Portillo

Third Place

Best Advocate – Alexis Acevedo

Alumni Coach:

Michael Rodriguez ’19 (PMR Law)

Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition

Albany, New York

Desmin Johnson

Brandt Wild

Quarterfinalist

Best Advocate – Desmin Johnson

Brooke Stoddard

Brenton Kim

Kathleen Sanchez

Quarterfinalist

Alumni Coaches:

Kevin Hunter ’14 (Boudreaux, Hunter & Associates)

Josh Fojtik ’23 (Hicks Thomas)

National Energy and Sustainability Law Moot Court Competition

Morgantown, West Virginia

David Nixon

Harshal Patel

Octofinalist

Jacob Miranda

Carlton Smith

Cole Zimmerman

Octofinalist

Alumni Coaches:

Alexa Moores Escalante ’22 (Harris County Attorney’s Office)

Cesar Escalante ’18 (Troutman Pepper Locke)

Original sourcecan be found here.

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