NSU BOA - Issue No. 1

SEPTEMBER 2024

NSU BOA

ISSUE NO 1

BEGINNINGS MEET THE NEW NSU LAW BOA EXECUTIVE BOARD

HISTORY OUR HISTORY & OUR SUCCESS

THE FUTURE UPCOMING EVENTS THAT YOU CAN EARN CLE CREDITS FOR!

CONTENTS

NO. 1

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OUR DIRECTOR

THE FUTURE

Meet our director, Joe Lester.

PAGE 5 THE PRESENT

PAGE 4 THE PAST Our origins & our success.

An introduction of the inaugural executive board of the NSU Law Board of Advocates.

Details about our upcoming events and how you can get involved.

PAGE 9 OUR ALUMNI An ode to you.

OUR DIRECTOR CREATING CHAMPIONS IN AND OUT OF THE COURTROOM. As a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Kentucky, Professor Joe Lester began his legal career in Kentucky where he practiced for a couple of years before moving into academia. At Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, Professor Lester became a tenured professor by age 35, started a nationally recognized advocacy program, and won many trial, moot court, and ADR competitions. After twenty years at Faulkner, Professor Lester moved to American University to run the advocacy program.

Under his leadership American enjoyed unprecedented success winning more competitions and individual awards than ever before, and enjoyed its highest ever U.S. News ranking at #3 in the nation. Professor Lester then moved to the University of Georgia and within a single year the program won both NTC and AAJ regional titles, a first for the university. Georgia also rose to its highest U.S. News Trial Advocacy ranking while Lester was there, and won Baylor’s Top Gun competition in back-to-back years—a feat no one had accomplished before.

Professor Lester is well known in advocacy circles as a host of competitions such as the Mockingbird Challenge, Capitol City Challenge, King of the Hill, and most recently, Shark Beach Showdown. He also created and maintains www.trialteamcentral.org which is a one stop shop for all things related to law school trial advocacy competitions.

It is an honor to have Professor Lester lead the advocacy program at NSU Law, and we look forward to leading the program to new heights under his guidance and leadership.

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THE PAST

Our history, our origins, until today.

Two Becoming One Historically our advocacy program was comprised of two separate organizations––the National Trial Association (NTA) and the Moot Court Society. Now, after a highly competitive selection process, the best advocates were chosen to form the NSU Law Board of Advocates (BOA)––the new advocacy program at the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University. The program sends students to compete in trial, moot court, and ADR competitions around the nation.

Success Our advocacy program ranks #31 nationally on the U.S. and World News Report Ranking. And just in the last year, our advocacy program has amassed these accolades: 2024 E. Earle Zehmer National Moot Court Competition – Best Appellee Brief 2024 National Appellate Advocacy Competition – Regional Finalists 2024 Trials & Tribulations Competition – Semi-Finalists 2023 National Moot Court Competition Regional Champions 2023 National Moot Court Competition Regional – Best Brief 2023 National Appellate Advocacy Competition – Regional Champions 2023 L. Edward Bryant, Jr. National Health Law Transactional Competition – Champions PAGE FOUR | NSU BOA

THE PRESENT

The 2024–2025 BOA Executive Board

Luiza Biaggi Chairman This past year, Luiza was a Regional Finalist at the American Bar Association's National Appellate Advocacy Competition and a Quarter-Finalist at the University of San Diego’s National Criminal Procedure Tournament. Following graduation, she is interested in working in appellate law.

Max Baroody Vice Chair of Moot This past year, Max was a Regional Finalist at the American Bar Association's National Appellate Advocacy Competition and a SemiFinalist at the Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition. Following graduation, he is interested in working in appellate litigation or insurance defense.

Alexandra “Lexie” Birk Vice Chair of Trial This past year, Lexie competed in the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition in New York and the TYLA National Trial Competition in Tampa, Florida. Following graduation, she is interested in working in civil litigation or at the State Attorney’s Office.

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THE PRESENT

The 2024–2025 BOA Executive Board

Zachary Brill External Relations Chair This past year, Zachary competed at the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition, TYLA National Trial Competition, and Amicus Cup in Las Vegas. Following graduation, he is interested in working in plaintiff’s personal injury or criminal prosecution.

Alexa Brin Chair of Competitions This past year, Alexa was a Semi-Finalist at the Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition, and also competed in the Summit Mock Trial Competition and the Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition.

Following graduation, she is interested in working in civil litigation.

Ivania Teran Community Service Chair This past year, Ivania competed in the Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition in Orlando, hosted by The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section. Following graduation, she is interested in working in commercial litigation.

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THE PRESENT

The 2024–2025 BOA Executive Board

Carolina Hernandez Community Service Chair This past year, Carolina was the Fellowship Director for the NSU U-School Moot Court Advocacy Course. During her tenure at Americorps, she amassed over 3,000 hours of service. Following graduation, she is interested in working in the appellate or dependency sectors.

Panteya “Teya” Atashbar Membership Chair This past year, Teya competed in the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition in Washington D.C. Following graduation, she is interested in working in civil litigation.

Nisa Moses Social Media/Publications Chair This past year, Nisa was a Regional Finalist at the American Bar Association's National Appellate Advocacy Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following graduation, she is interested in working in family law or at the State Attorney’s Office.

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THE FUTURE Upcoming Events & How You Can Get Involved.

American Moot Court Association (AMCA) Sunshine State Regional NSU Law is honored to host this season’s second regional competition for this national undergraduate competition circuit.

October 26 – 27, 2024 Shepard Broad College of Law 3305 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Interested in Judging ?

Please click HERE and fill out the judge interest form.

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OUR ALUMNI

An ode of congratulations to you.

The Bar is now behind you.

The future of law awaits.

Congratulations, Esquires.

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Become a Competition Sponsor! *Your Logo Here* Would you or your company like to sponsor Shark Beach Showdown II, a national trial competition hosted by NSU Law which features 24 of the top advocacy programs from all over the country?

Contact Ted Daus (Class of ‘91)

for more information.

Email: Ted@hitsk9.net

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M U N L A Updates I

We Want to Hear From You!

Attention Alumni: We would love to feature your accomplishments in upcoming publications of NSU BOA! From weddings, to promotions, and all the exciting life moments in between, we would love to celebrate in the milestones with you and share them with fellow alumni.

To share your exciting news with us, please click HERE.

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