Teams of University of Tennessee College of Law students who traveled to two separate competitions over the weekend brought back first place finishes from each.
Chris Coleman and John Keny were successful negotiators for the Tennessee team in the preliminary LawMeets competition that took place at the University of Georgia. The team will now advance to the national LawMeets competition in New York City on April 6.
In advance of the competition, students Elizabeth Holland, Brian Adams, Rob Leonard, Hope Dirksen, Jacob Bolton, Lauren Hughes, and John Adgent helped prepare a stock purchase agreement that was the subject of the negotiations. Those students were recognized for submitting the best draft.
Coleman and Keny advanced from a field of 96 teams to earn a place at the national competition, along with only 15 other teams from their respective regions.
The negotiation required students to combine their lawyering skills; drafting, marking-up, and negotiating techniques. Students were also evaluated on their knowledge of corporate law in developing innovative solutions to a legal problem.
The transactions team was coached by Professor Brian Krumm.
The second team of successful competitors, including Erika Ivey, Nicole Poole, Aaron Moore, and Maggie Greenway won Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International’s Mock Trial Competition in Arlington, Va.
The University of Tennessee College of Law team placed first in the overall competition and first in the outstanding prosecution category, and Ivey received the first-place award for outstanding advocate. Tennessee’s was one of 27 law school chapter teams to compete.
The Phi Alpha Delta mock trial competition helps students develop their trial advocacy skills and requires students to form persuasive arguments and demonstrate their skills in problem solving, public speaking, and critical thinking.
Students compete in teams of four and their performances are ranked first through fourth place by volunteer lawyers and judges.
The Tennessee team was coached by Melissa DiRado of the Knox County Public Defender’s Office.