MEMPHIS LAW ADVOCACY TEAMS BEGIN 2025 SEASON SUCCESFULLY
Several advocacy competition teams at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law have found recent success at their respective competitions this Spring.
The Memphis Law Black Law Student’s Association (BLSA) Mock Trial Team delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, with a win in their semi-final round of the Southern Division. The Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition was held as part of the Annual Southern Region Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) Regional Convention.
The Memphis Law team made their way to Nashville, Tenn. to compete in the always competitive and prestigious competition. The team was comprised of Cameron Comer, Ian Reddick, Imani Bruce, and Timothy Hopson. Imani Bruce was recognized as one of the Top 5 Advocates in the competition. The team was coached by Patrick Hillard and Tanisha Johnson.
“The competition really brought out the best in our team. In every round, we had to draw upon all of our skills in trial advocacy, which encompassed things like objections, cross examinations, closing arguments, and opening statements, with a number of experienced attorneys and judges presiding over the competition,” said BLSA president and mock trial team member, Cameron Comer. “Memphis Law and our BLSA advocacy teams have a strong history of success at this competition, so our team had a lot of pride in maintaining that track record. We are proud to have represented our law school with the passion and expertise that the program has come to expect.”
Additionally, the law school’s National Mock Trial Team sent two teams of students to the Regional Competition in Montgomery, Ala. In February. The teams consisted of Memphis Law students Ciana Charity (3L) and Jason Herlick (3L), and William Lockett (3L) and Andrew Meade (2L) and were coached by Memphis Law professor Faith Watson and attorney Ashley Moore.
The team of Charity and Herlick put together a 50-point win over a team in their competition, with the Lockett and Meade team advancing all the way to the competition Semifinals, narrowly missing the Finals by just 7 points.
“Our team from Memphis Law School truly exemplified dedication and excellence throughout the event,” said professor (and Coach) Watson. “The countless hours of preparation and the hard work of these students truly paid off, and they represented Memphis Law School with great pride.”
The teams also featured support from their team of 2L witnesses – Sasha Budsal, Abigail Norwood, and Alexis Tarver – whose support and hard work were invaluable throughout the competition and in helping the teams prepare.
Finally, our Duberstein Moot Court Team consisting of Alexandra Nabity, Christopher Marsh, and Meredith Ehemann, traveled to St. John's University School of Law to compete in the annual Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition earlier this Spring, where they competed successfully and Alexandra Nabity was recognized as one of the competition's Outstanding Advocates.