Stetson Law Students Win National Competition

Stetson law team who won national championship

Stetson University College of Law competed with 15 other top advocacy teams from around the U.S. to win the National Civil Trial Competition in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 20.

Stetson law team who won national championship
Stetson’s Trial Team won the National Civil Trial Competition. (L-R): coaches Patrick McArdle, Erika McArdle, student Kaitlyn Dugas, Professor Charles Rose, students Anna Pardun, Joseph Sise and Colby Connell.

The Stetson student trial team of Colby Connell, Kaitlyn Dugas, Anna Pardun and Joseph Sise was undefeated in every round of competition. Connell also won the Best Advocate Award for the first three preliminary rounds.

Assistant Director for the Center for Excellence in Advocacy Erika McArdle J.D. ’12 coached the team along with Patrick McArdle J.D. ’12.

“By winning NCTC this year, Stetson has now won one of the premier national trial advocacy competitions in each of the last three years. These victories validate the Stetson approach to teaching simulated experiential learning, and reflect the immense value of the Stetson advocacy experience for future Stetson lawyers,” said Professor of Trial Advocacy and Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy Charles Rose.

Stetson also won the National Civil Trial Competition in 2009.

Stetson’s advocacy teams have won five world championships, 68 national championships, 75 regional championships, 43 state championships, 54 brief awards, 140 best oralist/best advocate awards, and five professionalism awards.

Visit www2.stetson.edu/advocacy to learn more about advocacy at Stetson.