A team of six WashU Law students recently delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC), earning both team and individual accolades for their oral advocacy and legal writing skills.
3L students Trevor Allen, Mariel Brunman, Matthew Dena, Olivia Guidry, Aleece Hanson, and Lawson Sadler were recognized as Regional Finalists in the competition. Guidry and Allen stood out individually, ranking as the fourth- and seventh-best advocates, respectively, out of nearly 70 competitors in the region. The team also earned top honors for their written advocacy. Dena, Guidry, and Hanson were awarded Best Brief in the regional competition. Their accomplishments are a testament to WashU Law’s commitment to equipping students with the courtroom skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving legal field.
The NACC is hosted annually by the American Bar Association and is one of the most prestigious moot court tournaments in the country, challenging law students to refine their brief writing and oral advocacy skills in a simulated U.S. Supreme Court setting.
Coached by Adjunct Professor Rich Finneran, the National Moot Court Team demonstrated exceptional skill in appellate advocacy and furthered WashU Law’s rich tradition of success in moot court competition. Please join us in congratulating these six individuals on their success.