CHARLESTON — A three-member moot court team from the Charleston School of Law was among the top four finishers in the nation’s premier advocacy competition that attracted 192 teams from across the nation.

The Charleston team of Alexandra Heaton of Orangeburg, Andrew Smith of Easley and Victoria Watson of Mount Pleasant won the competition’s regional championship in March, the only team to be undefeated in regional competition.

The Charleston team beat law school teams from five other universities in the regionals: University of Akron, Drexel University, University of Alabama, Loyola University of Los Angeles and Southern Methodist University.

In the final competition from April 5 to April 8 in Chicago, the team faced law school teams from Belmont University, Wayne State University and Oklahoma State University. It lost to Oklahoma State in the national semifinals.

In the Chicago competition, Heaton ranked third best individual advocate overall. Watson ranked seventh.

“Charleston School of Law was the only school to have both oral advocates rank in the top 10 at the regional competition and again at the national competition,” faculty coach Todd Bruno said.

Assisting as coaches were two local lawyers, alumnus Daniel Cooper and adjunct professor Jessica Birt.

From left holding multiple awards won in early April at the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition are faculty coach Todd Bruno and third-year law students Victoria Watson of Mount Pleasant, Alexandra Heaton of Orangeburg and Andrew Smith of Easley.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_mootcourteasley.jpgFrom left holding multiple awards won in early April at the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition are faculty coach Todd Bruno and third-year law students Victoria Watson of Mount Pleasant, Alexandra Heaton of Orangeburg and Andrew Smith of Easley. Courtesy photo

Staff Report