Stetson University College of Law students Ethan Dunn, Christopher Hallett, Amara Benitez-Rodriquez, and Joseph Sise won the regional American Association for Justice Student Trial Competition on March 4 in Miami, and will advance to the National Finals Competition in April.

Only the top team from each region advances to the National Finals. Teams are judged on their case preparation, opening statements, use of facts, examination of lay and expert witnesses, closing arguments and professionalism. It is the second year in a row that Stetson has won the regional competition.

The Stetson team was coached by Associate Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and Professor Erika McArdle J.D. ’12 and Patrick McArdle J.D. ’12, partner with Grossman, Roth and Partridge.

Stetson sent two teams to the regional competition, and of the 16 teams competing, only four teams, including two Stetson teams, advanced to the semifinals. A second Stetson team of Dalton Allen, Zach Morrison, Ashleigh Thornton and Jessica Viola advanced the semifinals.

“Congratulations to our 2018 regional champions,” said Professor and Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, Charles H. Rose III. “At Stetson we create lawyers who embody the best of the profession. These advocates tried their case with power, passion and professionalism. They are living examples of the Stetson advocacy experience.”

To learn more about advocacy at Stetson, visit www2.stetson.edu/advocacy.