Advocates from the law schools at Drexel, Temple, Villanova, and Widener universities gathered at Temple Law School earlier this month for the first annual Temple Law Regional Appellate Advocacy Competition. Organized by Temple’s appellate advocacy faculty, the competition featured three rounds of oral argument before seasoned appellate litigators. The Temple Law team of 2L Kevin Cunningham and 2L James Shygelski took top honors, and Cunningham was named Best Oral Advocate as well.

The competition, which was limited to second-year law students by design, is intended to serve as a training ground for students before joining the appellate advocacy team in their third year.

Appellate Advocacy professor Mary Levy, who organized the event together with Advocacy colleagues Jules Epstein and Bonny Tavares, declared it a success. “The idea behind the competition, which we hope to hold every year, is to promote appellate advocacy within each law school and to create a friendly rivalry among the schools. By all accounts, it was a big success – I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback,” she said.

Photo: Competitors gather in the Duane Morris LLP Moot Court Room after the event.