Freeborn & Peters LLP Sponsors First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition in Partnership with Stetson University College of Law

TAMPA – Freeborn & Peters LLP is thrilled to have sponsored the First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition for Stetson University College of Law students for the third year in a row. The competition took place from April 22 - 23, 2020, and Partners from Freeborn’s Tampa office, Jason Stearns and Robert Stines, volunteered as Chief Judges. 

Throughout the competition, the panel of judges provided the law students with up to 10-15 questions per oralist in a 10-minute argument. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was held virtually via Microsoft Teams, which showcases the judges’ and participants’ remarkable effort to adapt in this environment and forge ahead with the annual competition. 

“As alumni, both Robert and I are honored to support and participate in the First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition for Stetson University College of Law students,” says Freeborn Partner, Jason Stearns. “Congratulations to the students who took part this year. Given the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus, it was impressive to see the same level of enthusiasm and participation from students as years past, even when competing virtually.”

This collaborative event gives first-year law school students from the school’s research and writing classes the opportunity to compete for the honor of being named top, second, and third-best oralist. Two sets of winners were chosen this year, as the event was split up over two nights. Please join us in congratulating all participating students for their hard work and dedication throughout the competition. To learn more about the First-Year Appellate Advocacy Competition and this year’s winners, visit here.