Convention Wrap Up

The 41st Annual SRBLSA Convention hosted by Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama, was a major SUCCESS and the SRBLSA Board would be remiss if we did not give thanks to all Competitors and Convention attendees! This year's theme was "Advancing to the Next Level, Fulfilling the Dream, Advocating for the Future" and we welcomed OVER 300 students.

Networking and Workshops

On Wednesday, the Cumberland School of Law welcomed all convention attendees to Birmingham, Alabama, also known as "Magic City". Attendees were given the opportunity to tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and network with faculty, staff, and students of Cumberland School of Law. On Thursday, convention attendees participated in community service, workshops, and the Chair's Luncheon. The guest speaker for this year's Chair's Luncheon was Phyllis P. Harris, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Wal-Mart.

On Friday, attendees were given the opportunity to speak one on one with firm recruiters at our Job Fair Expo. Participating employers included: the AFL-CIO; Air Force JAG Corps; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Bradley Arant Boult Cumming LLP; Burr & Forman LLP; Navy JAG Corps; Southern Environmental Law Center; and the US Attorneys' Office for the Northern District of Alabama. From there, attendees joined Judge Tracie A. Todd from the Birmingham Municipal Court, for her insightful meet and great luncheon and took part in a number of amazing workshops.

On Saturday, attendees began the day with our annual MLK Prayer Breakfast which featured Pastor Vanable Moody from the Worship Center Christian Church, and continued the day with enriching and thought provoking workshops. Saturday night, all attendees joined together for our wonderful Awards Gala. This year, SRBLSA members were honored with the presence of A.J. Cooper, founder of the first Black American Law Students Association at the New York University Law School, and the Honorable U.W. Clemon, Alabama's first black federal judge. Also in attendance was Tremaine Reese, National Chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division.

Competitions

Competitors of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition and Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition began their preliminary rounds Thursday morning at the Sheraton of Birmingham Hotel. Friday, the quarter-final and semi-final rounds were held all day at the Jefferson County Civil Court House. On Saturday, both the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition and Thurgood Marshal Mock Trial Competition hosted their final rounds at Cumberland School of Law. Please join the SRBLSA Board in congratulating the following winners!

Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition
Team Awards
Champion: Florida Coastal School of Law, Deanne Jackson and Tier Brown
First Runner-up: University of Alabama School of Law, Ambria Lankford and India Williams
Second Runner-up: St. Thomas University School of Law, Kevin Bailey and Keila Weekes
Individual & Brief Awards
Best Petitioner Brief: Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, David Pointer and Barry Edwards Best Respondent Brief: John Marshall Law School, Sharee Tumbling and Ashley Barnett
Best Oral Advocate: Sarah Redparth, John Marshall Law School

Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition
Champion: Loyola University New Orleans' College of Law.
First Runner-up: Florida State University College of Law
Second Runner-up: Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Community Service

SRBLSA members, convention attendees and delegates took to Birmingham, Alabama to engage in three community service empowerment projects! The projects offered included; clean up at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, volunteering at Pathways, Inc., A Woman's Way Home, and aiding tornado victims at Christian Service mission. Thanks to all attendees who volunteered their time and service to the Greater Birmingham area.

Chapter Awards

Please join the SRBLSA Board in congratulating the following chapter award winners! North Carolina Central School of Law won the Largest Chapter in SRBLSA award. Florida State University College of Law & University of South Carolina School of Law won Regional Chapter of the Year.