Carolina Law’s Advocacy Teams Continue to Shine: Spring 2025 Updates
March 25, 2025
Updated: April 7, 2025
UNC School of Law students have blazed through the competition circuit this season, racking up impressive victories that put the School’s advocacy talent on full display.
The Prince Memorial Evidence Moot Court Team of 2Ls Emily Kaplan, Stevie Baar, and Kristina Smith advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition at Brooklyn Law School this past weekend.
3L Kevin Solari won an Outstanding Advocate Award at the 2025 South Texas Mock Trial Challenge last week, adding to Carolina Law’s impressive collection of accolades in national competitions.
2Ls Nathalie Rodriguez and Nashi Gunasekara led the charge by capturing Second Place at the Robert R. Merhige, Jr. National Environmental Negotiation Competition in Richmond. The duo outperformed competitors from 18 schools, masterfully handling four challenging scenarios involving a mineral lease dispute between a drilling company and a small village. Their silver finish marks Carolina Law’s strongest negotiation showing since before the pandemic.
The winning momentum continued when 2Ls Will Etringer, Cal Hazeldine, Katrina Smith, and Caleb Welch fought their way to the Top 8 at American University’s Capital City Challenge Mock Trial Competition. The team displayed remarkable versatility, tackling both prosecution and defense roles across four intense trials with the director of pro bono initiatives, Meghan Moran, providing critical support throughout the competition.
Not to be outdone, 2Ls Sabrina Callahan and Slaten Ballard recently powered through preliminary rounds to reach the quarterfinals at the Notre Dame National Appellate Advocacy Tournament for Religious Freedom. Their performance built on the expert guidance provided by Professors Marshall, Papandrea, and Hirsch, along with Professor Everett‘s appellate advocacy instruction.
Earlier this spring, 3L Grace Roberts added to Carolina Law’s trophy case by earning Third Place Best Oralist at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Regionals—her second individual advocacy award representing the school.
“I am so proud of all of our advocacy students!” said Annie Scardulla, clinical associate professor of law. “As always, we could not do any of this without the work of Emily Shuman and the BNTT and Holderness Boards!”
These back-to-back victories prove that Carolina Law continues to develop skilled advocates ready to take on the nation’s top law schools.