Law School Appellate Advocacy Team Advances to National Championship

Photo by Kathy Sampson

( L to R): Dorrie Goodwin, Cristen Handley, Lauren Summerhill

The University of Arkansas School of Law team of Cristen Handley and Lauren Summerhill advanced to the American Bar Association Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition. The students compiled a perfect 5-0 record in the regional competition in Seattle, while the team's brief, written by second-year student Dorrie Goodwin, ranked fourth among the 32 briefs submitted.

"We are very proud of Cristen, Lauren and Dorrie for their excellent work in Seattle and for representing the School of Law so well," said law school Dean Stacy Leeds. "I'd also like to recognize the outstanding efforts of their coaches, professors Kathy Sampson and Amanda Hurst, and of the Ben J. Altheimer Professor of Legal Advocacy, Rob Leflar."  

The ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. Competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court.

The Arkansas team will travel to Chicago for the championship rounds to be held April 9-10.