Liberty Law wins regional arbitration competition, advances to nationals

Liberty University School of Law’s trial team won the ABA Regional Arbitration Competition hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law on Oct. 25 and 26 and will advance to the National Finals at the American Bar Association (ABA) Headquarters in Chicago in January.

The ABA Student Division offers this annual competition for law schools to showcase their skills in arbitration. Liberty Law sent two teams (of four students each) to the regional competition. The teams prepare and present a trial case in front of judges. Scores are based on opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations, and summation arguments. The team members split up to play both the advocates and the witnesses in each round.

The team of 3Ls Jessica Tucker, Cody Grove, Olivia Key, and 2L Rae’Lee Klein competed in the two preliminary rounds and narrowly missed advancing to the semifinal rounds. The team of 3Ls Gavyn Webb, Annaclare Censoni, Izzy McNally, and 2L Caleb Moody swept both preliminary rounds, the semifinal, and the final round, finishing ahead of 10 other teams from New York Law School, Drexel University, University of Illinois Chicago, and Michigan State University to place first in the region.

Director of Academic Support Laura Moody coached both teams and said the students will continue to “practice and refine” their skills in preparation for competing at nationals in January.

“I was so proud to see our students excel in their trial advocacy skills,” she said, “but I was even more proud to watch them display at all times a love and respect for the judges, other competitors, and each other.”