The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University’s Appellate Moot Court Board team of Elizabeth Stern, 3L, Joe Kelly, 3L, and Kaelyn Underwood, 3L, won first place at the prestigious ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition (“NAAC”) in Chicago during the weekend on April 12.
The Duquesne Kline School of Law team was one of only 24 teams out of 173 to advance to this national competition. At the competition, the Duquesne Kline School of Law team showed strong performances on both brief and oral arguments, advancing to the Sweet 16, then to the quarterfinals, and then to the semifinals facing formidable opponents each step of the way.
After the semifinal win, the trio advanced to the National Finals for the first time in Duquesne Kline School of Law history. Arguing before a panel of five judges from Illinois, the team faced the impressive Akron Law team, emerging as the National Champions. In addition, Stern received an additional honor, being named the #7 Best Advocate in the competition.
Adjunct Professor Erin Karsman, director of the Appellate Moot Court Board program and executive director of the Thomas R. Kline Center for Judicial Education, and Adjunct Professor Amy Kerlin, L’18, associate at K&L Gates, coached the team. A special thank you to Duquesne Kline School of Law’s other ABA NAAC team, Regional Semifinalists, Ciaran Lamb, 3L, Simon Jaronski, 3L, and Drew Gudenburr, 3L, who generously donated their time to help this national team prepare.
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