John Marshall Advocacy Board

AJMLS Advocacy Board SealMembership

To become a member of the Advocacy Board, one must have been chosen as the best appellant or appellee in their Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (“LWRA”) II class; or have been chosen by the Executive Board in an additional tryout opportunity hosted by the Advocacy Board. All potential members must meet and maintain the following credentials:

  1. Status in School: Must be a currently enrolled student in good academic standing at AJMLS.

    1. Good standing means that the student has maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as defined by the AJMLS student handbook.

  2. Formally accept their invitation onto the Advocacy Board in writing upon the President’s invitation.

2023-2024 Academic Year

PREAMBLE

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s (“AJMLS”) Advocacy Board is a student academic organization dedicated to advancing the advocacy skills of its members and representing AJMLS in competitions across the nation. The Advocacy Board is the governing authority of Moot Court and Mock Trial. Its members include the most outstanding advocates that AJMLS has to offer.  

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

The AJMLS Advocacy Board is a student-run academic organization dedicated to promoting the art of written and oral advocacy by representing AJMLS nationwide in advocacy-centered competitions, hosting intramural competitions, and training students to become excellent advocates.

A. Educational Enhancement: To provide members with opportunities to practice and refine their legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills in a controlled and constructive environment. Through Moot Court and Mock Trial exercises and competitions, members can apply theoretical knowledge learned to hands-on legal scenarios.

B. Professional Development: To acquaint students with the dynamics of courtroom procedures, ensuring they gain comprehensive experience in litigation techniques, courtroom decorum, and the nuances of arguing a case before judges or a jury. This experience aids in seamlessly bridging academic study with real-world legal practice.

C. Promotion of Healthy Competition: To systematically facilitate and supervise Moot Court and Mock Trial intramural, regional, and national competitions. Such competitions not only sharpen the advocacy skills of participating members but also foster a sense of fair play, teamwork, and mutual respect.

D. Networking and Mentorship: To proffer members to engage with a spectrum of legal professionals, ranging from practicing attorneys to faculty and sitting judges. Such engagements facilitate invaluable mentoring and insights into various legal careers.

E. Diversity and Inclusion: The Advocacy Board should emphasize diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the selection process and eligibility criteria do not discriminate against any group based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category.

Executive Board 2023–2024

President: Carolina Melguizo

Moot Court Director: Sandy Miller

Director of Finances & Operations: Reddlene Lamour

Director of Communications: Wide Thomas

Faculty Advisor: Professors Michael Mears

2023–2024 Competition Teams

MOOT COURT

Emory CRAL (Fall)
Team: Laura Bravo-Duran, Joshua Redmond, Kyla Arnold
Student Coach: Sandy Miller

MOCK TRIAL

Forthcoming

May 2024 Graduates: Forthcoming

2023-2024 Members

MEMBERS OF MOOT COURT & MOCK TRIAL

Carolina Melguizo
Chandler M. Garrison
D. Lorenzo Thirkield
Derek Fernandes
Grace C. Gomez
Jasmine R. Knight
Jesse C. Moore
Joshua D. Sachs
Joshua Redmond
Kendrick F. Zuluaga
Kristen Gough
Leah L. Young
Marquez A. Jones
Reddelene Lamour
Regina S. Stokes
Sandy L. Miller
Shaan Parikh
Shanae Hall
Wendi H. Lucas
Wide M. Thomas

MOOT COURT MEMBERS

Ariana Azaripour
Daija Brady
Jadyn Gray-Hough
Jataja Nave
Jodi-Ann Salters
Kaliyah Chisholm
Kyla Arnold
Laura Bravo Duran
Linda Chew
Madeline Deye
Mafatou Jagne
Mekhi Johnson
Raul Alvizua-Flores
Senthony Howard
Tanner Fonjweng

MOCK TRIAL MEMBERS

Anna Nam
Anna Stone
Danielle Ortega
Jair Paredes Novella
Natalie Hall
Suzanne Oldweiler
Taylor Bloomenthal

Member Archive

2022-2023 Academic Year

PREAMBLE

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s (“AJMLS”) Advocacy Board is a student academic organization dedicated to advancing the advocacy skills of its members and representing AJMLS in competitions across the nation. The Advocacy Board is the governing authority of Moot Court and Mock Trial. Its members include the most outstanding advocates that AJMLS has to offer.  

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

The AJMLS Advocacy Board is a student-run academic organization dedicated to promoting the art of written and oral advocacy by representing AJMLS nationwide in advocacy-centered competitions, hosting intramural competitions, and training students to become excellent advocates.

Executive Board 2023–2024

Chair: Carolina Melguizo

Vice Co-Chair: Grace Gomez

Vice Co-Chair: Marquez Jones

Vice Co-Chair: Wendi Lucas

Faculty Advisor: Professors Loren Pratt

2022–2023 Competition Teams

MOOT COURT

The Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (Spring)
Team:  Keith Collins, Sandy Miller, Shaan Parikh

Student Coach: Regina Stokes

The William E. MccGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition (Spring)

Team:  Chandler Garrison & Wide Thomas

Student Coach: Reddlene Lamour

Young Lawyers Division GA Intrastate Moot Court Competition (Spring)
Team 1: Carolina Melguizo, Grace Gomez, Lorenzo Thirkield

Team 2: Derek Fernandes & Leah Young

MOCK TRIAL

AAJ Student Trail Advocacy Mock Competition (Spring)

Team 1: Jesse Moore, Joshua Sachs, Kendrick Zuluaga, Marquez Jones

Student Coch: Carolina Melguizo

Alumni Coach: Sydni Marshall

Attorney Coach: Lamar Rhodes

May 2023 Graduates:

Ashley Starnes

Chauncey Graham

Estibaliz Afanador

Jessica Regalado

Keith Collins

Lindsey Roberts

Monique Cherry

Raford Kelly

Thomas Petrellese

2022-2023 Members

Ashley Starnes
Carolina Melguizo
Chandler Garrison
Chauncey Graham
Darrell “Lorenzo” Thirkield
Derek Fernandes
Devin McCoy
Estibaliz Afanador
Grace Gomez
Jacob Sperber
Jasmine Knight
Jesse Moore
Jessica Regalado
Joshua Redmond
Joshua Sachs
Keith Collins
Kendrick Zuluaga
Khushboo Patel
Leah Young
Lindsey Roberts
Marquez Jones
Monique Cherry
Noelia Rivera
Raford (Trey) Kelly
Reddelene Lamour
Regina Stokes
Sandy Miller
Shaan Parikh
Shanae Hall
Thomas Krupinski
Thomas Petrellese
Wendi Lucas
Wide Thomas

2021-2022 Academic Year

Objective

The Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (“AJMLS”) Moot Court Board’s primary objective is to provide students with an opportunity to promote and develop their oral and written advocacy skills. Student participation in Moot Court Competitions is a rewarding and valuable resource to cultivate the skills necessary to become an effective attorney.

Membership

All full-time and part-time students enrolled at AJMLS with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 are eligible for admission to Advocacy Board. A student may receive an invitation to the organization by successfully competing through the G. Alan Blackburn Moot Court Competition or the Richardson Lynn Moot Court Competition, which is the intra-school competition held before the start of the Fall semester.

Judge Blackburn is an AJMLS graduate (1968) and served 17 years on the Georgia Court of Appeals including two years as Chief Judge. Dean Emeritus Richardson Lynn served as Dean of AJMLS for eight years, retiring in the summer of 2014.

Executive Board 2021–2022

Chair: Edward Hardrick

Vice Co-Chair: Bethany Keyes

Vice Co-Chair: Mats Rosen

Vice Co-Chair: Joshua Elbaz

Vice Co-Chair: Michael Stewart

Faculty Advisor: Professors Kari Dalton and Robert D’Agostino

Board Members 2021 – 2022

December 2021 graduates:

Edward Hardrick

2021–2022 Competition Teams

NAAC Moot Court Competition (Fall)

Team 1:  Carolina Melguizo, Estibaliz Afanador & Grace Gomez | Student Coach: Derek Law

Team 2: Marquez Jones and Mats Rosen | Student Coach: Bethany Keyes

2019–2020 Academic Year

Objective

The Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (“AJMLS”) Moot Court Board’s primary objective is to provide students with an opportunity to promote and develop their oral and written advocacy skills. Student participation in Moot Court Competitions is a rewarding and valuable resource to cultivate the skills necessary to become an effective attorney.

Membership

All full-time and part-time students enrolled at AJMLS with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 are eligible for admission to Advocacy Board. A student may receive an invitation to the organization by successfully competing through the G. Alan Blackburn Moot Court Competition or the Richardson Lynn Moot Court Competition, which is the intra-school competition held before the start of the Fall semester.

Judge Blackburn is an AJMLS graduate (1968) and served 17 years on the Georgia Court of Appeals including two years as Chief Judge. Dean Emeritus Richardson Lynn served as Dean of AJMLS for eight years, retiring in the summer of 2014.

Executive Board 2019 – 2020

Chair: Zach Warfel

Vice Co-Chair: Morgan Eipper

Vice Co-Chair: Van Zafiroulis

Faculty Advisor: Professor Suparna Malempati

Board Members 2019 – 2020

December 2020 Graduates:

None

May 2020 Graduates:

Zach Warfel

Morgan Eipper

Van Zafiroulis

Brittany Lenoch

Tessa Martin

Kiara Flantroy

Suncearae Spears

Don’Etrick Houston

Martha Habtemicael

2014–2015 Competition Teams

Stetson National Pre-Trial (Fall)
Team: Michael Barrett, Stephanie Housefield, Mathis Wilkens, and Daniel Ybanez
Alumni Coaches: Jason McLendon and LoriBeth Westbrook

New York Bar (Fall)
Team: Homer Jordan and Kimberly Stahl
Alumni Coach: Michael Bauer

Mercer (Fall)
Team 1: Antoinette Clarington, Amber Reed, and Shawnta Williams
Team 2: Abigail Potter, Samantha Trippedo, and Chantiel Bell
Alumni Coaches: Michael Bauer and Ben Stidham

Georgia Intrastate (Spring)
Team 1: Amber Reed, Michael Barrett, and Stephanie Housefield
Team 2:  Samantha Trippedo, Antoinette Clarington, and Chantiel Bell
Alumni Coach: Mathis Wilkens

Student Coach: Kimberly Stahl

2013–2014 Academic Year

Objective

The Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (“AJMLS”) Moot Court Board’s primary objective is to provide students with an opportunity to promote and develop their oral and written advocacy skills. Student participation in Moot Court Competitions is a rewarding and valuable resource to cultivate the skills necessary to become an effective attorney.

Membership

All full-time and part-time students enrolled at AJMLS with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 are eligible for admission to Moot Court. A student may receive an invitation to the organization by successfully competing through the 1L competition or the JMLS Open, which is the intra-school competition held before the start of the Fall semester.

Executive Board 2013 – 2014

Chair: LoriBeth Westbrook

Vice Co-Chair: Stephanie Garner

Vice Co-Chair: Nick Kitchens

Vice Co-Chair: Nyotwa Shamapande

Faculty Advisor: Suparna Malempati

Alumni Coaches: Michael Bauer & Thomas Lyman

Board Members 2013 – 2014

December 2013 Graduates:

Artemis Aghdasi, Colin Barron, Ashley Jones-Black, Victoria Bridgeman, Joya Davis, Sheronn Harris, Payman Hashemi, Kiersten Mathews, Charles Murphy, Monica Patel, Nyotwa Shamapande, LoriBeth Westbrook

May 2014 Graduates:

Ibikiri Benson-Jaja, Irena Chernova, Stefanie Hilliard, Candace Malone, Hunter Millwood, Rachel Morelli, Koji Noguchi, Michelle Sandler, Andrew Turner, Tracy Udunka, Elizabeth Weatherly

December 2014 Graduates:

Stephanie Garner, Nickolas Kitchens, Samuel Radin, Uchenna Uzoka,

May 2015 Graduates:

Derek Gross, Keneshia Lewis, Rodrigo Silvo, Kimberly Stahl, Mathis Wilkens, Daniel Ybanez,

May 2016 Graduates:

Homer Jordan, Ellakisha O’Kelley

2013–2014 Competition Teams

Stetson National Pre-Trial

Team: Jason McLendon, Nick Kitchens, Michelle Sandler, LoriBeth Westbrook

Alumni Coach: Thomas Lyman

Student Coach: Rachel Morelli

New York Bar

Team 1: Artemis Aghadasi, Homer Jordan, Daniel Ybanez

Team 2: Kimberly Stahl, Elizabeth Weaverly, Mathis Wilkens

Alumni Coach: Michael Bauer

Student Coaches: Stephanie Garner & Kiersten Sellers

Georgia Intrastate

Team 1: Kimberly Stahl & Mathis Wilkens

Team 2: Derek Gross & Daniel Ybanez

Alumni Coach: Michael Bauer & Thomas Lyman

Student Coach: Stefanie Hilliard

Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition

Team: Nick Kitchens, Ellakisha O’Kelley, Rodrigo Silvo

Alumni Coach: Michael Bauer

Student Coach: Stephanie Garner

2013-2014 Accomplishments

Stetson National Pre-Trial

Third Place Overall

Semi-Finalists

Best Defendant’s Memorandum of Law

Best Combined Memorandum of Law

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law, Third Place

Team: Jason McLendon, Nick Kitchens, Michelle Sandler, LoriBeth Westbrook

Georgia Intrastate

Champions, First Place

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law, Third Place

Team: Kimberly Stahl & Mathis Wilkens

Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition

Octo-Finalists

Team: Nick Kitchens, Ellakisha O’Kelley, Rodrigo Silvo

2011-2012 Accomplishments

Stetson National Pre-Trial

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law

Team: Irena Chernova, Charlie Murphy, Ben Stidham, LoriBeth Westbrook

New York Bar

Third Place Best Oral Advocate, Regional

Individual: Stephanie Garner

Georgia Intrastate

Second Place Best Oral Advocate

Individual: LoriBeth Westbrook