FSU Black Law Students Association Wins Mock Trial Competition

TALLAHASSEE—For the third year in a row, Florida State University College of Law’s Black Law Students Association (FSU BLSA) won first place in the regional Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition during the Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association Convention. The 2022 meeting took place Feb. 24-26, in Atlanta. After winning the regional competition, FSU BLSA will compete in the related national competition later in March. 

Ten law school teams participated in the regional competition. The final round occurred at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center's Court of Appeals of Georgia courtroom, where students argued in front of the Honorable Walter W. Davis. Winning team members were third-year student Judelande Jeune, of Tampa, Florida; second-year student Kayla Neal, of Tallahassee, Florida; third-year student Nyah Tennell, of Queens, New York; and second-year student Khamisi Thorpe, of Delray Beach, Florida. The team was coached by Florida State law alumna C. Erica White (’01), who is general counsel at the Office of the State Courts Administrator. 

Additionally, FSU BLSA won the Best Petitioner’s Brief Award in the regional Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition during the Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association meeting. The team, third-year student Nia Anan-Ankomah and second-year student Olivia Ingram, also advanced to nationals due to their performance in the regional competition. 

“Congratulations to our BLSA student advocates on winning the regional Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition for the third year in a row,” said Dean Erin O’Connor. “We are extremely proud of all of our talented students and their dedicated coaches.”

Published on March 9, 2022