In an adversarial legal system, the prosecution and defense compete to determine facts and apply the law while the court referees. The starting gun sounds with “voir dire” – the process of jury selection. The “Show Me Challenge” is the only student competition in the nation to focus on this crucial lawyering skill.
After three preliminary rounds day one, and a semi-final and final round day two, NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law team (NSU Law) beat all the competing law schools to capture the National Championship title. NSU Law 2019 students, Kelly DesRosiers and Stacey Marquez shared the top spot with NSU Law 2020 student, Jeremiah Romano, who was named Best Overall Advocate. Wes Byrum, J.D. ‘17 served as the team’s coach, guided by faculty advisor, professor Megan Chaney, J.D.
Byrum is no stranger to national titles, having kicked the game winning field goal at the 2010 NCAA National Title game prior to attending NSU Law. And as a former student, Byrum fell in love with the “Show Me Challenge,” eventually securing a job following graduation trying cases and selecting juries for the prosecutor’s office. Coaching as an alumnus the NSU Law team that took down the number 1 ranked trial advocacy school proved another highlight.
“We had a great team with amazing individuals who represented NSU very well,” Byrum said. “As a recent Show Me Challenge competitor, it was an honor to be asked to come back and coach. I could not have been more proud as I watched the NSU team go 5-0 in an extremely unique and difficult national competition.”
NSU’s Trial Association prepares students for advocacy competitions to help them emerge as persuasive and ethical advocates. Simulated courtroom proceedings help sharpen student skills for both transactional law and the trials that result when agreements fall apart.
“The quality of an attorney’s advocacy skills impacts actual legal outcomes,” said Chaney. “The more these students practice in law school, the better prepared they are to represent that first client, and every other that follows. I take that job very seriously.”
During the 2018-2019 season, students involved with NSU’s Trial Association captured several best advocate awards. Among these, NSU law student Michael Halpern won best overall advocate at the Earle E. Zehmer Mock Trial Competition, where he and Kevin DeMatteo placed second. Halpern also took home an Outstanding Advocate award and the team, led by brief chief, Sarah Schultz, won the Bailey Trophy for outstanding brief after NSU made it to the quarterfinals at the prestigious national medical malpractice South Texas Mock Trial Challenge in Houston, Texas.
Just days removed from its dominant win at the Argonaut Invitational, the Nova Southeastern women’s golf team made a statement Friday, coming in at No. 2 in the first official release of the NCAA Division II South Region rankings.
