NSU BOA Magazine - Issue 2

NSU BOA

JANUARY 2025 | ISSUE NUMBER 2

Let’s Recap 2024.

A highlight reel into the numerous accomplishments of the NSU Board of Advocates.

IN THIS ISSUE 2

Shark Beach Showdown

3

The Buffalo-Niagara Competition

5

Regional Champions

7

Beyond Law School

9

2024 Competition Season

Get involved in Shark Beach Showdown II.

A look into a story of unwavering fight.

The 75th National Moot Court Competition Region IX Champions.

Giving back to the community, one future lawyer at a time.

An ode to the successes of the Fall 2024 competition season.

2

BUFFALO-NIAGARA

Xavier Russell. Sabrina La Rosa. Kamryn Brodey. Arturo Alvarez.

3

The Buffalo-Niagara National Trial Team representing Nova Southeastern University in 2024. This team’s story is nothing shy of exemplary. One filled with bravery, strength, and the pinnacles of what the NSU Board of Advocates stands for: family and forever. Quickly becoming a family, these students practiced for countless hours in and out of school, and their dedication to their craft shined through in their performance. In the preliminary rounds, Xavier took the award for Best Overall Advocate, Arturo won the award for Best Opening, and the team’s record was nearly a clean sweep. Advancing to both the semifinal and final rounds, Arturo and Sabrina competed and triumphed over the competition to make this team of four champions. What many people don’t know is what was happening behind the scenes for this team, especially for Tintin.

TRIAL COMPETITION Arturo Alvarez’s personal journey through law school was marked by resilience, both in the classroom and in life. Affectionately known as Tintin by his teammates and loved ones, Arturo was diagnosed with cancer during his second year of law school and had to withdraw from school for treatment. Surrounded by family and friends, he fought bravely, went into remission, and returned to finish his juris doctorate. In his final semester, Arturo joined the Buffalo-Niagara competition team with one goal in mind: to win a national trial competition. After countless hours of practice, and a mere week before the competition, Arturo received devastating news: his cancer had returned, and there were no further treatment options.

Despite this news, Arturo kept his diagnosis a secret, focused on the competition, and gave it everything he had. After delivering flawless performances, Arturo helped the team to secure the national championship while snagging the title for Best Advocate in the finals, a title well earned.

Upon returning to Florida, Arturo interviewed with the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office for a postgraduate position—a position he was offered on the spot in the interview.

Sadly, Arturo passed away just two months after the Buffalo victory.

These victories—achieved under unimaginable personal strain—was a testament to his unbreakable spirit.

His legacy lives on in his teammates, who view the win as both a tribute to his memory and a reminder of what it means to fight—both in the courtroom and in life.

Arturo Alvarez may have lost his battle with cancer, but his courage and determination live on through the Board of Advocates.

Arturo “Tintin” Alvarez 4

NATION COURT C NSU Law was honored Moot Court Competition NSU BOA and NSU Law Biaggi, Max Baroody, and days of competition, Team Region IX champions, and Best Oral Advocate in the

5

AL MOOT HAMPIONS to host the 75th National Region IX tournament. was represented by Luiza Donald Affanato. After two NSU was crowned as the Luiza Biaggi was awarded region. Next stop: NYC!

6

Fellowship Program Over several weeks, BOA members coached high school students in a closed-set moot court problem, which the students presented in our courtrooms at the end of the course.

7

Bey Law S Communit

ond chool:

y Service

AMCA

NSU BOA was honored to host the Sunshine State Regional Competition for the American Moot Court Association (AMCA), highlighting competition amongst undergraduate students from across the nation.

8

Premiere Trial NSU BOA was honored to host the annual Premiere Trial Competition —a competition for new trial team members. With a turnout of over 200 students and coaches, it was the largest attendance recorded in competition history!

9

Competition NSU BOA was proud to send two teams to compete, comprised of the following students: Dennise Alvarado, Christina Browder, Kevin Riquelme, Mya Simms, Sebastian Ornes, Nina Salsberry, Kaela Stephano, and Ayeh Trish. Congratulations to Mercer for taking the championship.

10

FALL 2024 COMP Judge Paul Joseph Kelly, Jr. Invitational Trial Competition Lexie Birk and Zach Brill defeated Catholic, Temple, and Georgetown to become quarterfinalists.

E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition Two talent-filled teams competed, rising to the quarterfinals. The teams were comprised of the following members: Alayna Abu, Karley Lopez, Annabelle Rosa, Makenzie Brown, Melissa Prio, Solange Ballistreri, Andrea Angel Riano, and Savana Scarborough.

Hofstra National MedicalLegal Trial Copetition Zoe Clarke, Morgan French, Sofia Galante, and Sabrina Lazo competed in this medical-legal hybrid competition in Long Island, New York.

11

ETITION SEASON Quinnipiac ABA Mock Trial Competition Raymond Jairam, Emely Chirino, Hailey Fraidin, and Xavier Russell competed fearlessly in Connecticut.

Dobson Closing Argument Competition The NSU Law Class of 2027 shined bright with talent at the 12th Annual Dobson Closing Argument competition.

Alexa Cotel-Altman and Kamila Rosello Garcia were semifinalists, Adib Hamameh was a finalist, and Sierra Pascoe is the reigning champion.

First Chair Trial Competition Lexie Birk and Zach Brill took New York by storm in the preliminary rounds of this competition.

12

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.

13

14