A Banner Week with More Impressive Wins for Haub Law’s Advocacy Program

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s top ranked trial advocacy program continues its track record of success with even more top finishes amongst fierce competition over the last week and weekend in February.

For the first time, Haub Law took home the championship at New York Law School’s third annual Soccer Negotiation Competition on February 23 and February 24, with a second Haub Law team finishing as semifinalists. Impressively, both Haub Law teams went undefeated in the preliminary rounds and advanced to the second day of the competition. From there, the Haub Law teams faced each other in the semifinals, each vying for a spot in the championship round. Ultimately, the team consisting of Marc Bisogno (2L) and Josie Buckley (3L) defeated the second Haub Law team consisting of Samantha Portillo (2L) and Nate Pinero (2L). With the second team finishing as semifinalists, Marc and Josie advanced to the finals ultimately defeating a strong Villanova Law team and finishing as champions. Both teams were expertly coached by first time coach and Haub Law’s first student coach ever, Andrea Garcia (4L).

A new addition to the Haub Law adjunct faculty, Dan Lust, a sports attorney, established the New York Law School’s Soccer Negotiation Competition three years ago. “When I started as a law student at Fordham, there was a baseball negotiation competition at Tulane Law School but there was no other similar competition for other sports anywhere in the country. I eventually made the decision to start a basketball negotiation competition at Fordham Law and, more recently as an adjunct professor at New York Law School, I established a soccer negotiation competition.” Serving as Director of the Competition and a Judge, Professor Lust recused himself for Pace students in this year’s competition but had high hopes for his new students. “This year’s competition was a hard-fought battle and an overall fierce competition that featured top tier schools and advocacy teams from across the country,” said Professor Lust. “Remarkably, Haub Law was not only the first non-Marquette school to win the competition but was also the first to have two teams make the final four.”

The Haub Law Advocacy Program had additional successes over the weekend. The Haub Law trial team won the invite only Shark Beach Showdown National Trial Competition. Liam Rattigan (3L), Chloe Devanny (3L0, Sabrina Rehfeld (3L), and Arianna Cruickshank (3L) alongside their coaches Nicolette Brusco, Samantha Tighe, and Jack Logan went undefeated amongst the top 24 trial advocacy programs in the country. The advocates moved through the preliminary rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the championship round where they won against the University of Georgia. To top off the success, Liam Rattigan took home the best overall advocate award. The competition was hosted by Nova Southeastern University.

Haub Law students Nicholas Kocaj, Julia Stueber, Tyler Justic, and Alexandra Tagliamonti had an incredible performance at the Online National Championship Mock Trial Competition, ultimately finishing in top 25%. Nicholas Kocaj and Alexandra Tagliamonti made it to the top 10 out of 50 teams. The students were supported throughout the competition by their dedicated coaches, Jared Hatcliffe, Dounea Elborji, and Marlene Geerinck. Julia Stueber was named best advocate of the competition as well.

Success was also had in the ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC), which took place at the Eastern District of NY Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, NY. Haub Law students Stephanie Areford, Amanda Dinkin, Chelsea Paglia, and Roselby Jackson de la Torre participated on behalf of the Law School. Stephanie Areford and Amanda Dinkin won their NAAC regional rounds and advanced to the nationals. The team was coached by Brad Gorson ’13 and assisted by many others, who, along with the team, put in a tremendous amount of hard work and preparation. Amanda Dinkin, Roselby Jackson de la Torre, and Stephanie Areford were also recognized with awards for top ten best advocates. Stephanie and Amanda will compete against the top four teams from the region in the National Finals, which will be held in Philadelphia in April.

Over the weekend, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University also hosted the 2024 ABA Representation in Mediation Competition, which is a mediation-style ADR competition. In addition to hosting the Competition, Haub Law students Olivia Paolillo and Luis Morales competed in it and were led by coach Nancy Montagnino. This regional competition was hosted and organized this year by Haub Law’s internal competition directors, Sarah Kissel, Maggie Minas, and Amanda Dinkin along with Director of Haub Law's Advocacy Programs and Professor of Practice in Advocacy, Louis Fasulo.

“Pace proud sums it up! The results this weekend are a tribute to the community effort here at the law school,” said Director of Haub Law’s Advocacy Programs and Professor of Practice in Advocacy, Louis Fasulo. “It is our most successful weekend ever. Our Advocacy Boards commitment, our student advocates, alumni mentors, and coaches hard work and tireless effort continue to enhance our National Reputation. Most importantly it exemplifies the valuable learning experience we are affording to our students. The number of Team Awards and individual recognitions including multiple best advocate awards have created great excitement. There is more to come.” Haub Law will celebrate the trial advocacy program, its students, alumni, and achievements at the biannual Gavel Gala to be held on April 11, 2024.