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UHLC wins regional ABA Appellate Advocacy Competition, advances to nationals

UHLC Moot Court team Frank Chambers and Nathan Halaney, front row, coach  Cassandra Jeu. The regional champions secured a place to compete at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

UHLC Moot Court team Frank Chambers and Nathan Halaney, front row, coach  Cassandra Jeu. The regional champions secured a place to compete at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

March 28, 2024 — University Houston Law Center (UHLC) students Frank Chambers and Nathan Halaney were named Regional Champions at the 2024 American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) Regional Tournament in Boston, earning them a spot in the ABA nationals in April.

Law students Malik An-Noor and Jonathan Estuart represented a second team from UHLC at the NAAC in February, marking the first time in the last decade that both UHLC Moot Court Teams reached the Regional Finals.

At the regional competition, An-Noor received the 3rd Best Speaker award, and Chambers was awarded the 6th Best Speaker.

"It is a privilege to represent UHLC on such a large stage as ABA NAAC. This competition brings out the best oral advocates in the country. We are so appreciative that UHLC and the Blakely Advocacy Institute provide us with the resources and opportunities to stand toe-to-toe with the best. A special thanks to our ABA NAAC coaches Cassandra Jeu, Seth Hopkins, and Emory Powers, who gave up nights and weekends to help us prep” said UHLC student and Moot Court team member Chambers.

The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition consists of a “moot court competition that emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience,” according to the American Bar Association. Competitors are challenged to create a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. They must write a brief as either the respondent or the petitioner and then argue the case in front of a mock court.

The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) will be held April 4-6 in Philadelphia.

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