BLSA Moot Court Team Finishes in Top 12 at Frederick Douglas Moot Competition

The Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) moot court team continued its success at its regional moot court competition by finishing in the top 12 at the Southern Region Black Law Students Association Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition held Jan. 24-26 Columbia, S.C.

The BLSA team, consisting of Valencia N. Poitier and Catisha Smith, made it to the “Darling Dozen” out of 24 regional law school moot court teams that competed in this prestigious competition. The team was coached by Professor D. Aaron Lacy. Barry swept through the preliminary rounds of the competition by defeating teams from the University of Georgia, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Georgia State University, Southern University, University of Florida, North Carolina Central University and many others, thus securing its spot in the top 12. The team was eventually defeated by the University of Memphis School of Law, which was a national finalist the previous year.

Not only did Poitier and Smith do exceptionally well throughout the competition, but Poitier won the Best Oralist Award for the entire competition. Of the 48 competitors, this award is given to the competitor that presents the best oral advocacy skills. BLSA’s strong performance at the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition adds to the Law School’s and BLSA’s success at moot court competitions. Last year, BLSA’s moot court team finished among the Sweet 16 out of more than 30 teams at the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition. Prior to 2007, no Barry BLSA skills competition team made it past the preliminary round in competition.