School of Law Sweeps Advocacy Competition

Akron, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2004 — Four University of Akron School of Law students swept the top spots at the Landskroner Closing Argument Competition recently held in Cleveland.

Competition winners are:

First Place and a $750 scholarship — Stephanie Adams of University Heights.

Second Place and a $500 scholarship — Amanda Buzo of Brecksville.

Third Place and a $250 scholarship — Adrienne Stemen of Cardington.

Fourth Place — John Antel of Parma.

This marks the first time in the history of the competition that a single school won the top four spots.

“We are very pleased that our students did so well at this event,” says Richard Aynes, dean of UA's School of Law. “They obviously worked very hard to prepare both their initial essays and their closing arguments.”

The Landskroner Foundation for Children, Cleveland, sponsors the competition. Students from all of Ohio's law schools are invited to compete by submitting an essay about why they want to become a civil trial attorney. Twelve finalists are then selected to deliver a 15-minute closing argument in a civil case before a panel of judges and civil trial attorneys.

Three of the winning students are veterans in the UA School of Law's Trial Team Program. In March, Adams, a third-year evening student, was national Best Advocate at the Thurgood Marshall Trial Competition in Boston. Third-year day student John Antel was a member of UA's winning Allegheny County Trial Lawyers Gourley Trial Competition held last March in Pittsburgh. Adrienne Stemen, third-year day student, was a member of the school's Association of Trial Lawyers of America team last season.

Return...