Center For Excellence in Advocacy

New Advocacy Institute!

Situated on Stetson Law’s historic Gulfport campus, the 16,000-square-foot facility is emblematic and functional. It offers students a modern setting to learn without leaving the campus’s majestic grounds. The Advocacy Institute offers students a quality space for practice and classes, equips them with comprehensive advocacy tools to meet the demands of a fast-changing world, and makes Stetson the law school with the most courtrooms on any campus. It provides a space where students involved in Stetson’s various Centers and Institutes can work together, share ideas, and hone their skills across disciplines. Specifically, the facility features six new courtrooms, a large classroom, extensive office and collaboration space, and a history and awards hall. The Institute is also home to Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy, Center for Excellence in Elder Law, and Jacobs Law Clinic for Democracy and the Environment, which is Stetson’s newest experiential law clinic. Learn more about the opening.

Advocacy Institute Map - First Floor

Advocacy Institute Map - Second Floor


Stetson Law's Center for Excellence in Advocacy is committed to the concept of the complete advocate - one who commands a superior understanding of the law, the ability to persuasively present evidence, and the humanity to know when to do the right thing.

students having a discussion in class
Academic Programs

Stetson offers learning opportunities designed to enhance advocacy skills and best prepare students for careers in litigation.

smiling students
Competition Teams

Students on these teams have the opportunity to hone their advocacy skills in front of practicing lawyers and judges, and make some of their most enjoyable law school memories along the way.

student competitors
Annually Hosted Competitions

Each year Stetson invites law schools from around the country and across the world to Stetson's beautiful Gulfport campus to compete in national and international competitions.

 

 

several championship trophies
UNMATCHED IN EXCELLENCE!

 

World Championships

97 National Championships

107 Regional Championships

55 State Championships

61 Brief Awards  

202 Best Oralist/Advocate Awards 

8 Professionalism Awards 

1 Most Creative Solution Award 

2 ABA Excellence in Competition Awards

 

 

 

educating advocacy teachers conference this year
Educating Advocacy Teachers (EATS) Conference

The Educating Advocacy Teachers (EATS) Conference has been hosted by Stetson Law for almost two decades and is well-known in the Advocacy community as being a truly dynamic and collaborative experience.

The conference is comprised of various panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and fun social events!

students working on their writing
Advocacy Writing Workshop Competition

The Advocacy Writing Workshop is open to anyone interested in polishing their writing skills and learning about the legal publication process and includes draft review for interested participants.

The Advocacy Writing Competition is for articles related to teaching advocacy skills or discussing contemporary issues related to oral and written advocacy.

 

 

championship winning students
Fall 2022 - SPRING 2024 SUCCESS!

 

CHAMPIONS - Queens County District Attorney's Office Mock Trial Competition (2024); Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition (Regionals - 2024); TYLA National Trial Competition (Region VI - 2024 - Team Green); ABA Regional Arbitration Competition (Team Green - 2024); Appellate Lawyers Association Moot Court Competition (2023)Florida Justice Association Mock Trial Competition (2023); Summit Cup National Trial Competition (2023); Syracuse National Trial Competition (2022 and 2023); Southwestern National Negotiation Tournament (2023); William C. Vis Pre-Moot International Arbitration Competition (2023 and 2024); Capitol City Challenge Mock Trial Competition (2023); Magnolia Cup Negotiation Competition (Group One - 2023); South Texas Mock Trial Challenge (2023); MLK National Civil Rights Trial Competition (2022); Houston Law Center National Mediator Competition (2022). 

FINALISTS - National Tax Moot Court Competition (2024); Chester-Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition (2024 - Team Green); AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition (Regionals - 2023 and 2024); Claude Pepper National Elder Law Moot Court Competition (2023); Hall of Fame Sports and Entertainment Law Negotiation Competition (2023); Southwestern Negotiation Tournament (2023); TYLA National Trial Competition (Region VI - 2023 - Team Green); ABA Client Counseling (2023); Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition (2023); Amicus Cup Trial Competition (2023); Battle of the Experts Mock Trial Competition (2022); ABA Negotiation Competition (2022); ABA Negotiation Competition (2022).

SEMIFINALISTS - TYLA National Trial Competition (Region VI - 2024 - Team White); Judge Joseph R. Kelly, Jr. Invitational Mock Trial Competition (2023); ABA Regional Arbitration Competition (Team Purple - 2023); National Civil Trial Competition (2023); Buffalo-Niagara National Trial Competition (2023); TYLA National Trial Competition (Region VI - 2023 - Team White); AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition (Regionals - Team White - 2023); Magnolia Cup Negotiation Competition (Group Two - 2023); National Ethics Trial Competition (2023); William & Mary Negotiation Tournament (2023); ABA Arbitration Competition (Regionals - 2022); Florida Justice Association Mock Trial Competition (2022); Appellate Lawyer’s Association’s National Moot Court Competition (2022). 

 

student advocate
Advocacy Resource Center

The Advocacy Resource Center offers resources for teaching and learning trial advocacy.

stetson advocacy journal logo
Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law

The first online law review designed to be read online and explores contemporary issues of advocacy.

a student teaching class
Clinics and Externships

Stetson Law offers more than 300 clinic and externship opportunities annually.

 

 

Learn more about our faculty