Published on March 8, 2022 by Morgan Black  
Rose, Brisbon
Rose, Brisbon

Twenty six teams from across the country competed virtually in the Oklahoma City regional round of the National Appellate Advocacy Competition, March 4-6. Among all competing teams, only four advanced to nationals including the team from Cumberland School of Law.

Cumberland had two teams in the competition. The team of third-year student Pierce Otswalt and second-year student Danner Kline proved to be tough competition through three rounds and received high marks and praises from judges. They were coached by Charlie Shah ’96.

The team of third-year students Mitchell Brisbon and Kaylee Rose argued their way into the fifth and final round. Both Brisbon and Rose earned perfect scores from multiple judges throughout the five rounds. The pair also won every judge ballot in every round in which they competed. In the final round, Brisbon and Rose faced off against Baylor University School of Law, defeating them 5-0, with Brisbon collecting an overall average score of 97.4 and Rose a 97. In the awards ceremony, Brisbon was named 4th Best Oralist in the region. They were coached by Judge Anne Durward ’95 and Anna Saunders ’19.

The team will continue to the Chicago national competition which will be held virtually, April 7-9.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.